IVAN TONEY handed Thomas Tuchel a new selection headache by adding ‘Champions League winner’ to his CV.
England striker Toney helped Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli defeat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to lift Asia’s elite club trophy.
AFPIvan Toney poses with his medal after winning the Asian Champions League[/caption]
GettyToney, 29, left Brentford for Saudi Arabia last summer[/caption]
GettyToney celebrates with his Al-Ahli team-mates[/caption]
Tuchel picked Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke ahead of Toney for his first Three Lions squad two months ago.
This was Toney’s first major trophy win — and was Al-Ahli’s debut Champions League final success after near misses in 1986 and 2012.
Toney, 29, left Brentford in a £40million switch last summer having played three games for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.
And he was not the only ex-Prem star to pick up medals as Al-Ahli triumphed in Jeddah.
Former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez and ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino had both won Uefa’s Champions League with their former clubs.
Whil Edouard Mendy helped Chelsea prevail in the competition four years ago.
Firmino set up both goals, teeing up fellow Brazilian Galeno for a 35th-minute opener and crossing for Franck Kessie seven minutes later.
Toney — who has bagged 26 goals in 39 Al-Ahli appearances — might have netted early on but was denied by keeper Louis Yamaguchi.
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GettyRoberto Firmino hailed his side as ‘mentality monsters’[/caption]
GettyEdouard Mendy was in goal for the victorious Saudi side[/caption]
GettyRiyad Mahrez poses alongside team-mate Ziyad Al-Johani[/caption]
Firmino, who left Anfield in 2023, said: “This title win shows we have a monster mentality.
“We believed we could be champions and we’ve done it.”
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