Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation and First Vice-President of FIFA, witnessed this evening (Thursday), the 2025 AFC Awards Ceremony, which was held at the King Fahd Cultural Center in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Dream Asia Foundation, and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatari Minister of Sports, along with major Asian sports figures.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim crowned Saudi star Salem Al-Dosari and Qatari Akram Afif, player of Al-Sadd Club, with the Best Asian Player Award, while Japanese Hana Takahashi won the Best Asian Player Award.
The President of the AFC congratulated the winners of the various AFC Awards, saying: “This annual ceremony embodies our celebration of the spirit of giving and excellence that characterizes Asian football, and at the same time confirms the AFC’s commitment to appreciating everyone who contributes to its renaissance inside and outside the continent. The winners this year did not just achieve individual or collective achievements, but rather represented an honorable image of dedication, discipline and creativity. These are the values that we are keen to consolidate in the Asian football system.”
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa expressed his deep appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its distinguished hosting of this year’s AFC Awards Ceremony, saying, “The sophisticated organization it witnessed reflects an honorable image of the capabilities possessed by the Kingdom and its ability to host continental and international sporting events with the highest standards. The success of this event is a natural reflection of the strong partnership between the AFC and Saudi Arabia, and represents a model to be emulated.” In cooperation and integration in order to serve the future of Asian football.”
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said, “We in the Asian Confederation view this ceremony not only as an occasion to honor heroes, but also as a platform to renew the pledge to continue the development process that we began years ago, and to strengthen joint efforts to advance the game in all member associations, according to a vision based on unity, innovation and sustainability.”
List of AFC Awards 2025 winners
Asia Diamond Award:
Timothy Fok Tsun Ting
Best national federation:
Platinum category: Saudi Arabia
Diamond category: Thailand
Gold category: Hong Kong, China
Ruby category: Laos
Best Regional Association: ASEAN Football Confederation
Asian Confederation President’s Appreciation Award for Promising Players:
Gold: United Arab Emirates
Silver: Malaysia
Bronze: Bangladesh
Best coach:
Women: Marzieh Jaafari (Iran)
Men: Ri Sung Ho (DPRK)
Best Futsal Player: Salar Aghapour (Iran)
Best Female Player: Hana Takahashi (Japan)
Best Player: Salem Al-Dosari (Saudi Arabia)
Best professional outside the continent: Lee Kang (South Korea)
Best Asian Professional Player Outside the Continent Award
Mika Hamano (Chelsea FC and Japan National Team)
Best Asian professional player outside the continent award
Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain and Republic of Korea national team)
Best Young Player Award
Choi Il-sun (4.25 Club and DPRK national team)
Best Young Player Award
Alex Badolato (Melbourne Victory FC and Australia national team)
Special award for judges
Alireza Faghani (Australia)
Anton Schetinen (Australia)
Ashley Beckham (Australia)
(All of them received the award)
