Ivan Toney’s move from Brentford to Saudi side Al-Ahli raised a few eyebrows last summer, but the 29-year-old striker has silenced critics in the best way possible—by lifting the AFC Champions League Elite title in his very first season.
Toney, who joined Al-Ahli in August 2024 for a reported £40 million, quickly became the club’s talisman. And on May 3, 2025, he helped script a historic night at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah as Al-Ahli defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 to claim the first Asian Champions League title in the club's history.
While it was Galeno and Franck Kessié who got on the scoresheet in the final—both goals brilliantly set up by Roberto Firmino—Toney’s journey to the final was equally pivotal. He netted 26 goals in 39 matches across all competitions, including a vital strike in the semi-final win over Al-Hilal, proving he’s no passenger in this fairytale run.
His standout performances, however, haven't yet earned him a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel’s management—something many fans believe needs urgent revisiting.
From West London to Asian glory, Ivan Toney has taken a bold leap and landed like a champion. If the message wasn’t clear already: he’s thriving, scoring, and collecting silverware—and England might want to pay attention.
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