Will Jude Bellingham eclipse Messi or Mbappe’s Champions League feat?

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Real Madrid star top 

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After a slow start to the season, Jude Bellingham has rediscovered his form to showcase his unquestionable ability. The Englishman was a revelation during his first season in Spain, registering an incredible 36 goal contributions as Madrid won LaLiga and their 16th Champions League title. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé initially disrupted the balance of Carlo Ancelotti’s men but their recent upturn in form has coincided with the Frenchman acclimatising to his new teammates and Bellingham has also stepped up.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in Madrid’s last eight league games and he’s already provided four assists. Bellingham’s league form has also transferred into the Champions League with a crucial goal in the 3-2 win over Atalanta before two assists in the 5-1 rout of RB Salzburg. Since emerging at Birmingham before rising to prominence at Borussia Dortmund as a teenager, Bellingham has defied his age to shine at the highest level. And his exploits in the Champions League at 21 ranks him amongst some of the very best players in recent history.

Mbappé provided more goal contributions than any other player in Champions League when ahead 22 or younger. The French international burst onto the scene with Monaco in the competition before moving to PSG and he registered an outrageous 37 goal contributions – 21 goals and 16 assists – before turning 22. As the graphic below illustrates, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi both racked up 26 goal contributions in the Champions League before their 22nd birthday.

But the Norwegian striker reached that total in 14 fewer games than the legendary Barcelona attacker, so ranks higher. Impressively, Bellingham currently sits in 4th spot with 24 goal contributions and he’s the only midfielder to feature in the top ten list. Moreover, Bellingham is the only player in the top ten list that could add to their tally this season as he doesn’t turn 22 until June – after the Champions League final.