Vinícius Júnior: The Only Player with 25+ Goals & 25+ Assists in the Champions League Over the Last 10 Years
Over the past decade, Vinícius Júnior stands alone as the only player to have scored 25+ goals and provided 25+ assists in the UEFA Champions League. Now 25 years old, the Brazilian superstar is firmly on course to challenge one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing records in the competition.
With 30 assists in the Champions League, Vinícius currently ranks joint-seventh on the all-time list alongside Thomas Müller and Xavi. Ronaldo holds the record with 42 assists — but at his current rate, Vinícius is well-positioned to close the gap significantly before he retires.
A Rollercoaster Journey Since His Peak Season
The 2023-24 campaign was arguably Vinícius’ finest to date:
- He helped Real Madrid win La Liga
- Scored the winning goal in the Champions League final
- Delivered his best statistical season yet
Many considered him the overwhelming favourite for the Ballon d’Or, but he was pipped by Manchester City’s Rodri.
After the snub, Vinícius posted defiantly on social media: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
Unfortunately, the past two years have been far from smooth. Despite remaining one of the world’s best players, Vinícius has struggled to consistently recapture the same levels that made him untouchable in 2023-24.
Fan Backlash and Pressure at Real Madrid
Even the Bernabéu faithful — who have historically stood firmly by him — have turned. During a recent La Liga match against Levante, Vinícius (along with Jude Bellingham) was booed by his own supporters.
The discontent stems from a frustrating season so far for Real Madrid:
- Lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona
- Sensational early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of lower-league Albacete
While many players might have crumbled under such pressure from their own fans, Vinícius responded in the best possible way.
Brilliant Response: Man of the Match Against Monaco
In Real Madrid’s 6-1 thrashing of Monaco in the Champions League, Vinícius produced a standout performance:
- Scored one goal
- Provided two assists
His brace of assists moved him to 30 in the competition, just 12 behind Ronaldo’s record.
Post-match, Vinícius addressed the boos and scrutiny: “The last few days have been tough because of the boos and everything that’s been said about me. I’m always in the spotlight, and I don’t want to be there for things off the pitch, I want to be there for what I do on it and for everything I’ve done for this club. But the demands are very high, and I have to deliver every day. I won’t always be at my best technically, but I try to give my all for this club that has given me so much.”
Current Standing and Outlook
Following the Monaco victory, Real Madrid sit second in the Champions League group phase and are in a strong position to automatically qualify for the knockout stage.
Despite the challenges and criticism, Vinícius continues to prove why he remains one of the most dangerous and complete forwards in world football — and why he is more than capable of breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s assists record in the years ahead.
