Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence and Lionel Messi’s record for most goals in the group stages of that Champions League were the discusses before the kickoff of the opening day if the new campaign albeit other players have already stared in previous seasons.
It was because of what has been an unbelievable level of consistency from the two over the years that has made their names remain on the lips of every fan of the beautiful game, even as they approach their end days.
Even if the likes of Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah are stealing the headlines lately, all these are also approaching the later stages of their careers and most are almost as young as both Ronaldo and Messi.
A new generation is however starting to take over not taking anything away from the players in their early 30s and the Champions League and football could still anticipate thrilling European nights, better than it was in a era dominated by Ronaldo and Messi.
Almost all the records in the competitions are held by Cristiano Ronaldo and always in number two seems to be Lionel Messi but after the games on Tuesday night, football fans can still anticipate excitement when it’s Champions League matchday, even if the duo fall short on the nights.
Last night, Kylian Mbappé made it 55 goal contributions in 54 games in the Champions League thanks to a brace which helped PSG secured a 2-1 win over Juventus in Paris.
35 goals, 20 assists for the French superstar at only 23-years of age. Going at this rate and maintaining consistency, Mbappé could be set to break both the records of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the all-time records for both goals and assists in the competition with 141 and 42 respectively. Kylian Mbappé knows the standard already and he knows what he has to do to better that number.
Erling Haaland has been even more impressive in the competition though he has been unlucky to always get knocked out very early in the competition while with Salzburg and then Borussia Dortmund.
However, the move to Manchester City in the summer will do him a lot of good to achieving his objectives and improving in the number of appearances, which will in turn gives him better chance to add to his goals year in and out.
On Tuesday, the Norwegian becomes the first player to score on Champions League debut for three different teams following his brace in a 4-0 Manchester City win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Seville.
22-year old Erling Haaland had already scored on Champions League debut for Salzburg and Dortmund in previous years and extended that run to set a new record with his new club, Manchester City.
Haaland now have 25 goals in 20 Champions League games, of which no player has been able to score as much after just 20 games in the competition.
At this stage, Lionel Messi has eight goals and Cristiano Ronaldo is even yet to get off the mark. Erling Haaland has stated well and could also be set to cause damage to the records of both Messi and Ronaldo if he can maintain consistency and fitness.
The Best Young Player of the competition last season is up and running with Real Madrid as he led the side to a 3-0 wín at Celtic Park, where the defending Champions lost Karim Benzema to injury in the first 30 minutes.
Vinicius Junior scored the opening goals and completed more dribbles than any other player across all stadia on the Champions League night. He continues his rise by scoring in four consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Vinicius Junior has been tipped for greatness and there can be no doubt about his potentials since the start of last season, when he has been one of the best few players on the planet.
Maintaining consistency will be key for Vinicius Junior as club and country achievements could propel him to become one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or in the coming years.
Jude Bellingham was again class as Dortmund put three unreplied goals past Kobenhavn in Germany. The English sensation enjoyed himself in the heart of midfield and capped off the performance with a well taken third and final goal of the game.
He becomes the first English teenager to score in three consecutive Champions League campaigns following that strike.
This could be Bellingham’s final season with Dortmund amidst interest from both Real Madrid and Liverpool. It is without a doubt the 19-year old has earned the right of a move to top teams.
Started the match at the base of midfield and moved further front after the introduction of Emre Can, shows the class he can still maintain even in different positions.
Bellingham is a gem and will surely get his deserved credits once he is able to make the best decision regarding his future in the coming years.
Phil Foden was also impressive for Manchester City with a goal and an assist against Sevilla.
The English midfielder is undeniably one of football’s brightest talents and good to see him finally earning a frequent spot in the starting XI in a star-studded Manchester City squad.
Foden contributed a great deal to all the three City goals scored while he was on the pitch and is now turning out to be one of Pep Guardiola’s most important players at the club.
Rafael Leao continues his form in front of goal by assisting Milan’s equalizer against Salzburg as the spoils was shared in Austria. The Portuguese, who was named the best player in the Serie A last season has started the domestic campaign in good.
An assist last night is a good add to the numbers for him but Milan will demand more in the coming fixtures before they know, the 23-year old can surely do more.
After a disappointing campaign in the competition last season, Milan will be looking to do much better to match their reputation this term and as the defending Champions in the Serie A, Italian fans will also be looking up to them with high hopes.
Most of their chances of impressing will be down to Leao as their best player and main man in attack. He is a man lots is expected of and he does have the prospects to lead them to glory as he did in the league last campaign.
Mykhaylo Mudryk is another player whose star shone very bright on Tuesday. The winger, who was linked with w move to the Premier League in the summer picker Leipzig apart in Germany to help Shakhtar Donesk to a 4-1 away win.
Scored one and assisted two others, Mudryk at 21 still has a long way to go in his career and with this performance on a big stage, the move away from Shakhtar would be on the horizon with consistency and good fitness level.
While the likes of Jamal Musiala, Pedri Gonzalez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and others play on Wednesday, it is good omen to still anticipate excitement in the absence of Messi and Ronaldo, and this could only mean football is set for a new era.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
