Jude Bellingham equals Lionel Messi with incredible Champions League assist in Real Madrid win

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham had a combined 24 goals and assists in the Champions League during Wednesday night’s defeat of Red Bull Salzburg – the same tally as Lionel Messi at the same age.

Bellingham inadvertently added to Rodrygo’s opening goal in midweek, miscontrolling Vinicius Junior’s cross-field pass into the path of the Brazilian who blasted Madrid in front in the middle of the first half. The pair were remarkably on the same wavelength ten minutes later.

The England international returned a tricky pass between two Salzburg players for Rodrygo, who fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

In the end, Madrid won 5-1. guaranteeing qualification into the knockout stages and prompting Carlo Ancelotti to gush: “The individual talent we have is huge.”

Bellingham’s talent is more immense than most. After Wednesday’s heroics, the 21-year-old boasts 13 Champions League assists to go along with 11 goals in Europe’s premier club competition. Former Barcelona icon Messi, as many pro-Madrid observers were quick to point out, directly contributed to the same number of Champions League goals before turning 22, scoring 17 and setting up seven.

The transcendent striker would eventually end his career in European football with 169 straight Champions League contribution to goals (129 goals and 40 assists) – a result that only Cristiano Ronaldo can do better. However, the Portuguese striker has been a slow starter on the continental stage.

By the time Ronaldo turned 22 in February 2007, he had scored zero goals in the Champions League and only six assists for Manchester United.

Nor Messi nor does Bellingham top the list of prolific prodigies among Europe’s elite. Erling Haaland has amassed 26 direct contributions before turning 22, while Kylian Mbappe is alone ahead with 37.

Bellingham won’t turn 22 until June, so he has the rest of the season to try to match his teammate’s incredible success.

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