Exclusive interview: Ivan Toney surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Professional League and the former Brentford hitman, who has already released Al Ahly to the Asian Champions League, is eyeing England’s World Cup squad
Ivan Toney hasn’t given up on his World Cup dreams (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Hot-blooded Ivan Toney is trying to get his name in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup notebook.
The English striker’s desire to succeed this summer was just that, as he scored a stunning hat-trick for Al Ahly last Thursday to move to the top of the Saudi Professional League scoring list with 18 goals, two more than Cristiano Ronaldo. Last year, the 29-year-old Toni won the Asian Champions League title and finished his debut season with 30 goals.
This year, he wants to win the title and wants to make the most of Tuchel’s desire not to be swayed by negative perceptions of the Saudi Professional League. Tony admitted: “I didn’t know much about the Pro League, but in 2023 Ronaldo moved here and a few others followed. When the transfer option came around for me, I looked deeper into the Pro League to see what it was about and it was looking good at that point.”
read more: Ivan Toney rejects transfer to Juventus due to belief in England’s 2026 World Cupread more: Frank Lampard was sent off in a sweat as Coventry City lost the lead and the Premier League race heated up.
“And when we came here and had our first session with the team, everyone was able to play football, even if they weren’t all big-name players. Obviously everyone will have an opinion on the standard, but we felt we shouldn’t form an opinion without knowing what it actually looks like.”
“Once I got here I knew it was going to be tough so I just had to keep my head down and work hard like I always do and thankfully it’s paying off.
“I believe in myself and I believe in what I can bring to any team. We have good players here, a lot of good players. I have always believed in my qualities and my ability to score goals, especially because I have good players around me who help me and help me.”
Ivan Toni celebrates Al Ahly’s goal
Many speculated that Toney must have been furious at Tuchel’s decision to use him for just five minutes in England’s 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June last year. However, the Al Ahly striker has a different view.
Tony said: “It’s always an honor to be called up, even if you’re close to the England set-up. You have to respect the players who are playing in front of you. They are top footballers.”
“You have to respect the coach’s decision as well. It’s what’s best for the team and the country. So whether you’re given two minutes or not, you have to be ready when you’re called upon.”
Toney was criticized for taking the easy route of accepting a move to the 2034 World Cup host country, after paying the price for a move from his former club Brentford to the top-flight Premier League side in 2024. But the marksman, described by former Brentford manager Thomas Frank as “the best penalty taker in the world”, has scored in eight games in a row and believes his instincts are sharper than ever.
“This past year, I really felt a sense of anticipating where the ball was going to fall. People who don’t know much about soccer would say it’s luck. I think it’s luck.”
“If you see Erling Haaland and Harry Kane scoring all the goals, people will say the same thing. But it’s not luck. A striker has the hardest job in football, because when the team doesn’t win, the focus is automatically on the striker.”
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Tony’s Al Ahly goal-scoring form sees him play alongside the likes of former Liverpool ace Roberto Firmino (now at Al Sadd in Qatar), former Manchester City title winner Riyad Mahrez and keeper Edouard Mendy, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and is fresh from AFCON glory with Senegal.
Tony continued: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There are still players in this league who can play in the Premier League. The standards are high. I’ve played in the Premier League. I should know.”
“If Al Ahly were in the Premier League, we would finish quite high. That’s my personal opinion. People might kill it, but that’s fine. But I know my team-mates and I know their qualities. We have to show up every week, because if we don’t we’ll get pushed down. We have to be in the right mindset.”
That mindset includes complete focus despite the loss of loved ones back in the UK.
Tony said, “Obviously we don’t get to see our family that much, but we call and text all the time. It’s nice to see them in person, but work is work. If you’re going to be away from your family, seeing them makes it even more special.”
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