Vinicius Jr has set a new benchmark in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, overtaking Lionel Messi for assists despite Real Madrid crashing out to Bayern Munich in a dramatic quarter-final.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the Brazilian supplied an assist for Kylian Mbappe during the 4-3 second-leg defeat on 15 April, a result that sealed a 6-4 aggregate exit for the Spanish giants.
According to HITC, Vinicius now boasts 13 assists in 41 Champions League knockout appearances, surpassing Messi’s tally of 12 from 77 matches. He still trails Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the standings with 15 assists from 85 knockout games.
The winger has already lifted two Champions League trophies with Madrid. Messi holds four titles, while Ronaldo has five, including four with Madrid and one with Manchester United. Vinicius, 25, is widely tipped to chase down Ronaldo’s record if his current form continues.
Stanisic Questions Referee Over Camavinga Dismissal
The tie was overshadowed by controversy late on. Josip Stanisic insisted Eduardo Camavinga should not have been sent off and criticised referee Slavko Vincic after Madrid were reduced to ten men.
With Madrid leading 3-2 in the 62nd minute, coach Alvaro Arbeloa introduced Camavinga in a bid to steady the game. The midfielder soon picked up a first booking for a late tackle and was shown a second yellow in the 86th minute for delaying a free-kick.
Bayern seized the advantage, as Luis Diaz and Michael Olise struck to send the German side through.
Speaking to MadridZone, Stanisic said: “I don’t believe the referee was aware that he had already issued a yellow card to Camavinga. If he had known, he would not have shown the second yellow. Referees seem to have lost their ability to manage significant matches somewhat.”
The dismissal is a repetition of last season’s quarter-final first leg against Arsenal, when Camavinga was also sent off in a 3-0 defeat. Madrid went on to lose that tie 5-1 on aggregate.
