CurrentReport blog Benfica star Angel Di Maria has etched his name in Champions League history by surpassing Lionel Messi’s assist tally in the competition. The 36-year-old Argentine is now closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record, further cementing his legacy as one of the game’s most prolific creators.
Di Maria’s Record-Breaking Performance Against Monaco
Di Maria played a pivotal role in Benfica’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Monaco on Wednesday, delivering two late assists to overturn a 1-2 deficit at the Stade Louis II. The brace of assists took his Champions League total to 41, edging past Lionel Messi’s tally of 40.
Football expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Di Maria is now just one assist shy of the all-time Champions League assist record of 42, jointly held by Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs.
Champions League Efficiency
What sets Di Maria apart is his efficiency. The former Real Madrid and PSG star has achieved this feat in just 112 Champions League appearances, significantly fewer than Messi’s 163 and Ronaldo’s 183 matches. This underscores his remarkable ability to create opportunities in less game time.
A Stellar Season for Benfica
Having signed a one-year deal with Benfica in the summer, Di Maria has been in scintillating form. So far this season, he has:
- 8 goals
- 5 assists
- Across 16 games in all competitions
Di Maria’s performance has been instrumental in Benfica’s campaign, showcasing his enduring class at 36 years old.
With Di Maria just one assist away from equaling Ronaldo and Giggs’ record, fans will be watching closely as Benfica continues its Champions League journey. If he maintains this form, Di Maria could soon claim the title of the competition’s greatest creator.
