Unrivalled in Europe
If there was any doubt that reigning European champions Real Madrid would be a match for Pep Guardiola’s star-studded Manchester City side in the Champions League, they were put to bed after just 36 minutes when Vinicius Jr picked up the ball deep inside the opposing half and unleashed a declaration of war.
With a right-footed shot from outside the Man City box, the Brazil international’s shot whizzed through a crowd of helpless defenders and beyond the outstretched hands of Ederson to give Madrid a much-needed opening goal. And while the Premier League giants did manage to pull a goal back through an equally impressive Kevin de Bruyne shot, it was the young winger that lit up the match and drove his side on through the match.
A Champions League player for a Champions League club
Indeed, while the Spanish press dream of Kylian Mbappé donning the famous white of Los Blancos, Vinicius Jr continued to impress in Europe’s premier competition and look every part the player his French counterpart may wish to embody one day at the Santiago Bernabéu. But for now Madrid have their Brazilian winger and in no uncertain terms, Vinicius Jr is as impressive a Champions League player as any other in world football at the moment.
Goals and assists in the last two seasons of the Champions League:
23 – Vinicius Jr
22 – Kylian Mbappé + Karim Benzema
21 – Robert Lewandowski
20 – Mohamed Salah— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) May 9, 2023
With his goal on Tuesday night, the 22-year-old talent now has seven goals and five assists in 11 Champions League games this season. To date, the Brazilian has amassed an incredible record of 15 goals and 17 assists in 44 games in the continental competition. And, in particular, his record over the course of the past two seasons has been unmatched by any other in European football.
Tuesday’s result now means the forward has picked up 23 goals and assists over the course of the last two Champions League campaigns, which not only puts the Brazilian above teammate Karim Benzema and the aforementioned Mbappé, but also above every other player in Europe. When it comes to scoring or creating goals in the Champions League, Madrid undoubtedly have a player purpose-built for winning this competition.
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