The two-time FIFA World Cup winner retired from competitive football in May following a stellar career which also saw him claim a plethora of Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Having bowed out on a high thanks to 2018-19 Qatar Stars League title success as a player with Al Sadd, the 39-year-old is adamant that his thirst for silverware remains the same as his charges prepare for a new domestic campaign and knockout stage action in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

Ahead of the Round of 16, the quartet of Guangzhou Evergrande, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds in the East Zone had all won the coveted trophy, while in the West, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad and Al Sadd had done likewise.

With two-time winners Jeonbuk having now departed, there are five former AFC Champions League winners still in the mix. Three of those sides, meanwhile, will look to create history by becoming the first team to lift the trophy on three occasions – the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the trio.

The 27-year-old central defender made the move from Japan’s FC Tokyo as Al Hilal continue to ready themselves for a new Saudi Pro League campaign and their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with domestic rivals Al Ahli Saudi FC.

After arriving in Austria for Al Hilal’s pre-season preparations, Jang was quick to pinpoint his targets for the upcoming months – plans which include success on the Continental front.

Last season’s Qatar Stars League runners-up announced the 19-year-old’s arrival via their social media channels on Monday following protracted negotiations between the Doha-based club and their Iraqi counterparts.

Ali, who starred for his country at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, reportedly rejected interest from European heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus to join Al Duhail who saw Japanese ace Shoya Nakajima leave to join FC Porto earlier this month.

The 45-year-old Dutch tactician took over from compatriot Henk Ten Cate in June, and has been using the camp to familiarise himself with the players.

The 35-year-old Jiménez makes a return to West Asia after transferring from his boyhood club Palestino, where he scored a vital goal to secure the 2019 Copa Chile in the final against Audax Italiano.

The 28-year-old Dubrovnik native has agreed a three-year-deal with the Saudi Arabian giants, and is set to join up with his new teammates – and recently appointed head coach Branko Ivanković – at the club’s training camp in Austria on Tuesday.