Edouard Mendy labels Al-Ahli ‘best team in Asia’ after Champions League success

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was in action as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli won its second AFC Champions League title after defeating FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 in the final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Sunday.

The victory which was secured in extra time courtesy of substitute Feras Albrikan strike was the ninth title of Edouard Mendy’s career.

 

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The Lion of Teranga once again proved a true captain. While he didn’t have a huge amount of work to do, the 2021 and 2026 African champion made a superb save in the 73rd minute, denying a long-range shot from Hiroyuki Mae.

Al-Ahli can compete with any opponent

Speaking after the game, Mendy said: “In front of our fans, we play with 12 men on the pitch. I’m not kidding, that’s the reality.

“This second consecutive title is a great honor. The day was fantastic thanks to the fans. We won the title twice in a row in Jeddah because of them. We are the best in Asia, we represent Saudi Arabia, and we are proud of it.

“With our qualities, we can compete with any opponent. We won thanks to the team’s strong character, and the fans will certainly be delighted with this victory.”

Starting his career in his native France, Mendy played in the Le Havre academy before signing professional terms with third division Cherbourg in 2011.

Mendy was released in 2014, after which he almost quit football, before getting an opportunity with Marseille’s reserves. He established himself as regular in the following seasons at Reims and Rennes.

Mendy initially joined Guinea-Bissau

In 2020, Mendy signed for Premier League club Chelsea for a reported fee of £22 million. In his first season, he immediately broke into the starting line-up, becoming the first African goalkeeper to play for the club’s senior team, and kept sixteen clean sheets in the Premier League.

Mendy equalled the record for the most clean sheets in a UEFA Champions League season with nine, and kept another clean sheet in the final to help Chelsea win their second title.

يا شايل الكأس بين إيدك..
يستاهل “الكأس” من شاله 😉#الأهلي_ماتشيدا_زيلفيا | #دوري_أبطال_آسيا_للنخبة | #LetsGoWithAlAhli pic.twitter.com/lY88c6bwSB

— النادي الأهلي السعودي (@ALAHLI_FC) April 25, 2026

He was awarded both the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year and The Best FIFA Goalkeeper of 2021, becoming the first African goalkeeper in football’s history to win both awards. He would continue as the first-choice keeper in the 2021-22 season, before subsequently falling out of favour during 2022-23.

In 2023, Mendy signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a fee of around £16 million. Eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau and Senegal through descent and France through birth, Mendy initially joined Guinea-Bissau in honour of his father.

However, he subsequently switched allegiance to Senegal, where he became the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Senegal to a runners-up finish.