In Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against RB Salzburg, midfielder Jude Bellingham reached an impressive milestone, matching Lionel Messi in a remarkable statistic achieved at the age of 21.

On Wednesday night, Real Madrid secured an emphatic 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. The win provided much-needed relief for Los Blancos amidst an inconsistent season. While the standout headline was Kylian Mbappé‘s return to his electrifying best, another fascinating subplot emerged: Jude Bellingham matched Lionel Messi in a remarkable Champions League milestone.

Jude Bellingham’s brilliance on the European stage has elevated him into elite company. The 21-year-old midfielder, who registered two assists in the match, reached a total of 24 goal contributions in the Champions League—matching the tally Lionel Messi had achieved at the same age. One of Bellingham’s assists was particularly eye-catching: a daring backheel pass to Rodrygo, who finished with clinical precision.

Bellingham’s Champions League numbers now stand at 13 goals and 11 assists, with the potential to surpass the legendary Messi by scoring one more goal before his 22nd birthday on June 29. Moreover, he could also outshine Erling Haaland, who managed 26 goal contributions in the competition by the same age. However, Bellingham still trails teammate Kylian Mbappé, who had amassed an astonishing 37 Champions League goal contributions by the age of 21.