'Park Ji-sung makes surprise appearance' at ACLE awards ceremony sparks buzz; players including Na Sang-ho and Marez offer comfort and congratulations

*This content was translated by AI.

'Korean football legend' Park Ji-sung (45) made a surprise appearance at the awards ceremony for the final of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), the most prestigious club competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Park Ji-sung attended the awards ceremony held immediately after the 2025-2026 ACLE final between Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) and Machida Zelvia (Japan) on the 26th (Korean time) at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Park Ji-sung stood with other officials and personally greeted the runners-up Machida Zelvia and the champions Al-Ahli players as they made their way to the podium, offering words of comfort and congratulations.

Among those greeted were Na Sang-ho (Machida Zelvia), a former national team player and junior of Park, and Riad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), who previously played in England's Premier League (EPL).

Additionally, Park Ji-sung served as the presenter at the tournament's best goalkeeper award ceremony, personally handing the trophy to Machida Zelvia's goalkeeper Daisuke Kikuchi.

Park Ji-sung made a surprise appearance at the awards ceremony that day because he currently serves as the chairman of the AFC Professional Football Task Force (TF). Appointed as chairman of the Professional Football TF for the development of Asian professional football in 2023, Park Ji-sung will continue in this important role until next year.

The AFC Professional Football Committee meeting held the previous day, where the regulations for AFC club competitions and club licensing were significantly revised, also proceeded under Chairman Park Ji-sung's leadership.

Park Ji-sung is not only the chairman of the AFC Professional Football TF but was also appointed as a member of the FIFA Men's Football Stakeholders Committee in October last year, continuing his activities as a football administrator.

Meanwhile, in the final held that day, Al-Ahli defeated Machida Zelvia 1-0 after 120 minutes of intense extra-time battle, securing back-to-back championships following last season's title.

Al-Ahli, who found themselves at a numerical disadvantage after Zakaria Hawsawi's headbutt dismissal in the 23rd minute of the second half, held on to defend Feras Al-Breikan's dramatic first-half goal in the first half of extra time until the end, claiming the top spot.

Al-Ahli received a prize money of 10 million dollars (approximately 14.8 billion won) for winning the tournament, while Machida Zelvia received 4 million dollars (approximately 6 billion won).

The Japanese J.League has produced a finalist team for three consecutive seasons, including the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League (ACL) before the tournament restructuring, but Yokohama F. Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale, and Machida Zelvia all finished as runners-up.

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*This content was translated by AI.