The Juventus talisman, Angel Di Maria, on Wednesday overtook Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi to step-up onto second in the UEFA Champions League all-time assists leader board, only behind Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Di Maria achieved the accolade after he recorded a hat-trick of assists in Juventus’ Champions League victory over Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday night.
The most assists in Champions League history:
1️⃣ Cristiano Ronaldo (42)
2️⃣ Ángel Di María (38)
3️⃣ Lionel Messi (37) pic.twitter.com/aNTIw3oKQb— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 5, 2022
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star put on a compelling performance for La Bianconeri against Maccabi Haifa as his assists helped his team win 3-1 against the Israeli club. The victory was also Juventus’ first Champions League victory so far this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the assists chart in the Champions League
Ronaldo is also the top-scorer in the competition’s history with 140 goals, some way ahead of Messi, who has scored 127 times.
Counting since the 1992/93 season, no player in the modern Champions League era has as many assists as Ronaldo, although two current Argentine stars are not far behind.
Everyone knows about Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal scoring ability and his multiple records, but his generosity is perhaps underrated and it may have gone under the radar that he also has the most assists – as well as goals – in Champions League history. Fans all over the world reacted to the notion of Ronaldo being the G.O.A.T. as this stat proves the same.
Fans claim Ronaldo is the GOAT as Man Utd star holds the record for most assists in the UCL
A fan commented under a post, “Some fan base will tell u he doesn’t assist even not playing in UCL this season his still holding the record of both assist and most goals.”
Some fan base will tell u he doesn’t assist even not playing in UCL this season his still holding the record of both assist nd most goals
— Ikenyina Christian (@IkenyinaChrist2) October 6, 2022
While another said, “Ronaldo has more assist and goals than Messi in UCL? Has more than him in international games as well! Please, is the debate about dribbles? Because I don’t see a reason for that debate. CR7 is simply the best.”
Ronaldo has more assist and goals than Messi in UCL?
Has more than him in international games as well!
Please, is the debate about dribbles? Because I don’t see a reason for that debate. CR7 is simply the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/Enzgu06tPq
— Concerned Fan™🕙 (@Smart_abbey) October 5, 2022
Another one said, “Amazing how CR7 isn’t featuring in any UCL matches this season and yet still retains the record of leading goal scorer and leading assist.”
All these records and fans verdict tells us how underrated this statistics has been. Recording the most goals and assists of a major competition in Europe is a massive task. Maybe, Ronaldo still has the ability to increase this record next year if Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the two Argentines would look to surpass the king with the record of assists this season. They would love to capitalize on the chance, as the Portuguese will not feature in Champions League in the 22/23 season.