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Real Madrid superstar poised to set new Champions League record against Man City

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Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images

Real Madrid will take on Manchester City later tonight, a game where the visiting side only need to avoid a defeat by a margin of three goals or more.

Given Real Madrid’s depleted defence, however, coach Alvaro Arbeloa will bank heavily on his attack to cause some early damage.

Fortunately for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe is back and ready to feature against Man City. However, the main focus will be on Vinicius Jr.

New UCL record in the making?

Upon his participation against Manchester City tonight, Vinicius Jr. is poised to create a new record in the Champions League.

Indeed, the Brazilian will become the youngest player in the history of the competition to feature in 80 matches.

At just 25 years and 248 days, Vinicius Jr. will break the record previously held by his attacking partner tonight, Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Mbappe currently has the record for being the youngest player to feature in 80 UCL matches. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Frenchman was just 26 years and 33 days when he had made 80 appearances in the Champions League, most of which came as a PSG player. He now has 95 UCL appearances to his name.

However, Vinicius’ record is unlikely to last for long. His other teammate, Jude Bellingham, has already racked up 54 appearances at the age of just 22.

Notwithstanding his recent record with injuries, Bellingham will have three solid years to break the record of Vinicius Jr. He may even have the chance to become the youngest player to feature in 100 UCL matches.

As for Vinicius, he will become the 117th player to feature in 80 UCL matches. The Brazilian, though, will be more worried about getting his team home and reaching the quarterfinals of this tournament.

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Real Madrid News

Kylian Mbappe unlocks three Champions League achievements after Roma 3-4 Real Madrid thriller

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Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance with a goal against AS Roma, reaching another major milestone in a competition he has dominated throughout his career.

As such, the Real Madrid forward scored his 72nd Champions League goal on Wednesday, moving past club legend Raul Gonzalez on the competition’s all-time scoring list and into fifth place. 

Mbappe surpasses Messi and Raul 

Mbappe reached 100 Champions League appearances against Roma and marked the occasion with a goal. 

At 27 years and 298 days, he became the youngest player to reach that landmark, surpassing Lionel Messi’s previous record of 28 years and 84 days.

As such, Mbappe’s 72 Champions League goals have come across three clubs: six for Monaco, 42 for Paris Saint-Germain and 24 for Real Madrid.

Only Messi and Lewandowski outscored Mbappe

Mbappe’s record becomes even more impressive when measured against other top Champions League forwards during their first 100 appearances.

Robert Lewandowski scored 81 goals in his first 100 matches, while Messi registered 77. Mbappe’s 72 goals place him behind those two players, but ahead of numerous other legendary attackers.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the Champions League benchmark

Despite moving into fifth place, Mbappe still has a substantial gap to close before reaching the top of the all-time scoring rankings.

Karim Benzema sits ahead of him with 90 goals, followed by Lewandowski on 109 and Messi on 129. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the standings with 140 Champions League goals.

Mbappe’s 72 strikes leave him 18 behind Benzema, meaning the next target in his pursuit of the all-time greats is within reach if he maintains his scoring rate.

Understandably, Ronaldo’s 141 goals remain the benchmark, leaving Mbappe 68 goals short of the record. 

The gap is considerable, but the Frenchman has already demonstrated the scoring consistency needed to climb the rankings, and it won’t be a surprise if he breaks his idol’s record.

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