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.
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.
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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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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.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
