Jude Bellingham Matches Lionel Messi’s Champions League Record in Stunning Real Madrid Win

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham continues to break records, matching Lionel Messi’s combined Champions League goal and assist tally at the same age. During Wednesday’s dominant 5-1 victory over Red Bull Salzburg, Bellingham played a crucial role, further solidifying his status as one of football’s brightest young stars.

Bellingham’s Key Contributions Against Salzburg

The 21-year-old midfielder was instrumental in Madrid’s performance, assisting Rodrygo twice in the first half. Bellingham’s first assist came from a slight miscontrol of Vinicius Junior’s cross, which inadvertently set up Rodrygo for a powerful finish. The second assist was a display of Bellingham’s creativity, back-heeling a clever pass through two Salzburg defenders, allowing Rodrygo to score with a sublime first-time strike.

With these assists, Bellingham’s Champions League contributions now stand at 24 (13 assists and 11 goals), equaling Messi’s record for players aged 21 or younger.

Comparison with Other Champions League Prodigies

Bellingham’s achievements put him in elite company. While Messi tallied 24 contributions before turning 22, Cristiano Ronaldo had only six assists and no goals by the same age. However, other young talents have surpassed both, with Erling Haaland achieving 26 contributions and Kylian Mbappe leading the pack with 37.

Bellingham, who doesn’t turn 22 until June, has the remainder of the season to increase his tally and potentially surpass Haaland.

Ancelotti Praises Real Madrid’s Immense Talent

After the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised his squad, saying, “The individual talent we have is immense.” Bellingham’s performances have clearly been pivotal to Madrid’s success this season, helping them secure qualification for the Champions League knockout stages.

Will Bellingham Surpass Expectations?

As Bellingham continues to shine on Europe’s biggest stage, fans are left wondering: Can he surpass Messi and Mbappe’s early Champions League achievements? Share your thoughts in the comments below!