Vinicius Jr Surpasses Messi in UCL Knockout Assists as Real Madrid Edge Man City in Thriller
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has officially overtaken Lionel Messi in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage assist rankings after setting up Jude Bellingham in Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday.
The Brazilian forward’s crucial assist marked his 13th in UCL knockouts, surpassing Messi’s 12, and he achieved this feat in just 50 appearances. However, despite this milestone, Vinicius still has a long way to go to match Messi’s overall UCL assist tally of 40, which places him third on the all-time chart.
A Champions League Classic at the Etihad
The first leg of this high-stakes quarterfinal clash delivered a spectacle worthy of football’s grandest stage. Erling Haaland struck early in the 19th minute to give Manchester City the lead, before Kylian Mbappe responded in the 60th minute to level the score.
City thought they had secured an advantage when Haaland converted a penalty in the 80th minute, but Real Madrid’s never-say-die mentality came alive once again. Brahim Diaz equalized just six minutes later, and in the dying moments, Vinicius’ brilliance unlocked the City defense, setting up Bellingham for the match-winner.
The UCL Assist Kings: How Vinicius Compares
While Vinicius now leads Messi in knockout assists, he still trails some of football’s greatest playmakers in the all-time rankings:
🥉 Messi – 40 assists
🥈 Angel Di Maria – 41 assists
🥇 Cristiano Ronaldo – 42 assists
At just 24 years old, Vinicius has plenty of time to climb these ranks, especially given Madrid’s deep runs in the competition every season.
Opinion: A New Era of UCL Greats?
This match wasn’t just about records—it symbolized a generational shift in football. The likes of Vinicius, Bellingham, and Mbappe are stepping up to take the mantle from Messi and Ronaldo, and this season’s Champions League is proving to be their proving ground.
While Messi’s Champions League legacy is untouchable, it’s thrilling to see young superstars rewriting the history books. The question remains: Can Vinicius someday challenge the all-time assist records, or even surpass his legendary predecessors?
As for Manchester City, they now head to the Santiago Bernabeu needing something close to a miracle to overturn this first-leg deficit. But if anyone knows how to stage a comeback, it’s Pep Guardiola’s side.
