Al Ahli captain, Riyad Mahrez has celebrated the Saudi club’s back-to-back Asian Champions League titles by gifting custom Rolex watches valued at around £17,000 each to every member of the squad.
The Algerian winger presented the personalised timepieces following Al Ahli’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Japan’s Machida Zelvia in the final at Alinma Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Feras Al Brikan scored the decisive goal in the 96th minute, securing the title despite Al Ahli playing with 10 men after a red card in the second half.
Each watch, a Rolex Submariner model with a dark green bezel matching the club’s colours, was customised with engravings of the player’s name (and squad number in some cases), the AFC Champions League trophy, and the year 2026.
The gifts served as mementos of the club’s historic achievement as the first side to win the competition in consecutive seasons in the modern era.
Reports indicate the total cost ran into several hundred thousand pounds for the full squad of approximately 25 players.
Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and defender Merih Demiral reportedly insisted on sharing the expense with Mahrez rather than allowing him to cover the entire bill alone.
Mahrez, who joined Al Ahli from Manchester City and earns around £875,000 per week, described the title win as “amazing.”
The 35-year-old previously won the UEFA Champions League with City in 2023.
The gesture has drawn praise from fans and observers for highlighting team unity as Al Ahli turn their focus back to domestic competition in the Saudi Pro League.
Al Ahli’s back-to-back continental success echoes the feat of local rivals Al Ittihad in 2004 and 2005 under the former format of the competition.
Franck Kessie was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2026 finals.
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