Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham took his personal tally of Champions League goals and assists to 24 in Wednesday night’s thrashing of Red Bull Salzburg – a feat that Lionel Messi managed at the same age.

Bellingham inadvertently spoiled Rodrigo’s opening goal in midweek, miscontrolling Vinicius Jr’s cross-field switch into the path of the Brazilian who fired Madrid in front. Midway through the first half. The pair was strongly on the same wavelength after ten minutes.

There was a careless pass between two encroaching Salzburg players for England international back-heel Rodrigo, who fired a first-time finish into the bottom corner.

Madrid eventually won 5–1. Assuring eligibility Into the knockout stages and encourages Carlo Ancelotti to push on: “We have immense individual talent.”

Bellingham’s talent is greater than most. After Wednesday’s heroics, the 21-year-old has 13 Champions League assists on top of 11 goals in Europe’s premier club competition. Former Barcelona icon Messi, as many Madrid-leaning viewers were quick to point out, contributed the same number of Champions League goals before he turned 22, scoring 17 and adding seven.

The outstanding forward would eventually end his career in European football with 169 direct Champions League Goal Contribution (129 goals and 40 assists) – Only Cristiano Ronaldo can do better. However, the Portuguese forward was a slow starter on the continental stage.

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

Neither Messi That Bellingham tops the list of prolific prodigies among Europe’s elite. Erling Haaland piled up 26 straight contributions before turning 22, while Kylian Mbappe has 37 of his own.

Bellingham doesn’t turn 22 until June, so the rest of the season is spent trying to match his teammate’s offensive antics.

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