Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has continued to write his name among the best to have ever grace the world of football with another huge Champions League milestone.
Bellingham was in top form as Real Madrid dispatched Red Bull Salzburg 5 -1 on Wednesday night. The England international provided a stunning pass for Rodrygo, who whipped a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Despite not scoring, Bellingham’s performance on the night proves he’s an important part of Carlo Ancelotti’s set up.
Bellingham’s latest assist took his personal tally to 24 combined Champions League goals and assists – the same haul as Lionel Messi managed the same age.
The 21-year-old now boast of 13 Champions League assists on top of 11 goals in Europe’s premier club competition. Former Barcelona icon Messi, as was quickly pointed out by many Madrid-leaning onlookers, directly contributed to the same number of Champions League goals before turning 22, scoring 17 and teeing up seven.
Jude Bellingham central midfield of Real Madrid (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Messi would eventually end his career in European football with 169 direct Champions League goal contributions (129 goals and 40 assists) – a tally only Cristiano Ronaldo can better. However, the Portuguese forward was a slow starter on the continental stage.
By the time Ronaldo turned 22 in February 2007, he had mustered a grand tally of zero Champions League goals and just six assists for Manchester United.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland piled up 26 direct contributions before turning 22, while Kylian Mbappe is out in front on his own with 37. It’s left to see if Bellingham will be able to surpass his Real Madrid’s teammate record by the time he clocks 22.
