Editing AFC Champions League (section)

== The History of the AFC Champions League ==
The roots of the AFC Champions League can be traced back to the '''Asian Cup Winners' Cup''', which was founded in 1967. Over the years, the tournament underwent several transformations before it officially became the '''AFC Champions League''' in 2002.

=== Early Years: Asian Cup Winners' Cup (1967-2002) ===
Before the AFC Champions League was created, the '''Asian Cup Winners' Cup''' served as Asia's premier inter-club competition, where the champions of domestic cup competitions in various countries competed against each other. Teams from the Middle East, East Asia, and South Asia competed for dominance in the tournament, which laid the foundation for the modern AFC Champions League.

=== The Formation of the AFC Champions League (2002-Present) ===
In 2002, the '''AFC Champions League''' was introduced to replace the '''Asian Club Championship''', which had struggled to attract consistent interest. This new format sought to create a more competitive and commercially viable tournament by attracting the top clubs from across the continent and increasing the number of participating teams.

Since its inception, the competition has grown exponentially, with more clubs from countries with emerging football markets, such as China and Qatar, joining the fold. Over the years, the tournament has also seen more high-profile players from Europe and South America joining clubs in Asia, increasing the overall level of competition and excitement.