Bellingham equals Messi record with blockbuster showing in Champions League

Jude Bellingham equaled Lionel Messi’s Champions League record with his latest spectacular display.

Real Madrid’s 21-year-old England superstar continued his fine form with two assists as Los Blancos beat RB Salzberg on Wednesday.

Real Madrid CF's Jude Bellingham during a Champions League match.

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Jude Bellingham continues to break records at Real MadridCredit: Getty
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham celebrate a goal.

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The 21-year-old provided two assists in a 5-1 win over RB SalzbergCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi celebrating the goal.

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Bellingham’s heroics put him level with Lionel Messi for the long-standing Champions League recordCredit: The Times

Bellingham is now level with Barcelona icon Messi in Champions League goal contributions for players aged 21 and under.

The ex-Dortmund ace has made 24 contributions at the age of 21 years, six months and 24 days – Messi had previously scored 17 goals and registered seven assists at the same age.

However, the blockbuster pair are not at the top with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland above them, having contributed 26 goals before reaching 22.

But it is Bellingham’s Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe who holds the record for 37 contributions at the same age.

Both men will have to be at their best against Brest next week and hope results go their way to ensure automatic qualification to the last-16.

Holders Madrid are 16th in the new Champions League standings.

If they fail to make the top eight then they will have to go to the play-offs.

Madrid’s 5-1 win on Wednesday night was their fourth victory in the revamped tournament.

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Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has 18 months left on his contract at the Bernabeu.

And before the game, he directly addressed reports he was preparing to step down in the summer.

Jude Bellingham’s furious reaction to Valencia goalkeeper after Vinicius Junior was sent off in heated clash with Real Madrid

Ancelotti said: “I want to be absolutely clear.

“I will never, ever in my life set a date for departure from this club.

“Someday that time will come, but I don’t know when that will be. I don’t decide.”

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“It could happen tomorrow, in some sports, in a year, in five years.

“Florentino [Perez] I will be here for four more years and my goal is to reach Florentino’s four years and so we say goodbye together.”

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