Vinicius Junior ties Champions League record set by Lionel Messi

Vinicius Junior tied a record previously set by Lionel Messi when the Brazilian scored for Real Madrid in a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final.

The 23-year-old – who will be 24 in July – has now scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists during his career in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Barcelona legend Messi is the only other player to have been directly involved in 22 goals at this level before the age of 24.

22 – Vinícius Júnior has been directly involved in 22 goals in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League (11 goals, 11 assists); the joint-most by any player before turning 24, along with Lionel Messi. Stardom. #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/UA738iPk5n

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 1, 2024

Messi, 36, went on to score 49 knockout goals during his UCL career before leaving Europe to join Inter Miami last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo, with 67, is the only player to have netted more goals than Messi during the UCL’s knockout rounds.

Vinicius scored Madrid’s second goal in Saturday’s final with a clean finish in the 83rd minute following an assist by Jude Bellingham.

Dani Carvajal had earlier headed Madrid in front from a Toni Kroos corner.