Vinicius Jr has become just the fourth Real Madrid player to notch up 50 goal involvements in the Champions League.
The Brazilian winger has established himself as one of the world’s best wingers since linking up with Los Blancos from Flamengo in 2018.
AFPReal Madrid winger Vinicius Jr continues to impress in the Champions League[/caption]
And after a quiet performance against Arsenal in his side’s 3-0 away defeat in the quarter-final first leg last week, he has finally made an impact.
Mere moments after Bukayo Saka put the visitors ahead in the 65th minute, Vinicius Jr got his team back on level terms on the night.
He robbed William Saliba of possession on the edge of the box before tucking home into an empty net.
Vini Jr now boasts 29 goals and 21 assists in Europe’s premier competition in what is his 68th outing for Real.
With his latest goal, the 24-year-old has joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Raul as being the other three Real icons to have achieved the impressive feat.
But the Rio de Janeiro native still has some long way if he wishes to climb above any of the trio for most goal involvements for the club.
Ronaldo, who is the Champions League’s all-time top scorer with 140 strikes, found the back of the net on 105 occasions from 101 appearances in Real’s colours.
That is in addition to laying on 31 assists for his teammates during his nine-year spell in Spain.
Next up is Benzema with 105 goal involvements having scored 78 times, as well as supplying 27 assists.
Raul then follows in third spot having banged in 66 goals and providing 29 assists from his 130 outings.
For Vinicius Jr, he is now on 20 goals and 14 assists in all competitions this term.
And who knows, his latest could be his most important as Real look to become the fifth team in Champions League history to overturn a first leg defeat of at least three goals.
It’s also a historic night for Real midfielder Jude Bellingham following his 44th appearance this term.
Bellingham has now made 47 appearances in the Champions League at the age of just 21.
In doing so, he has equalled the record set by Iker Casillas of most outings in the competition aged 21 or under.
The Los Blancos icon, who made a total of 177 games, featured 47 times before he turned 22.
