Guangzhou Evergrande became the first Chinese club to win the AFC Champions League, as the Chinese champions secured the title on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw with FC Seoul in the final.

Head coach Marcello Lippi made history by becoming the first to win Champions Leagues in both in Europe and Asia.

In the year-end FIFA Club World Cup, debutant Guangzhou beat African champions Al Ahly before losing to Europe Champions Bayern Munich in the semifinals.