Real Madrid clinched a significant victory over Borussia Dortmund to claim their 15th Champions League title, with Vinicius Junior scoring the decisive second goal, surpassing Lionel Messi’s record.

The Brazilian forward has been pivotal in Real Madrid’s recent Champions League successes, elevating his status to the forefront of European football excellence and renown.

At just 23 years old, Vinicius Junior now stands shoulder to shoulder with Lionel Messi of Inter Miami as one of the premier players in European club football.

Following his crucial goal, Vinicius has now scored 11 times in the knockout stages of club football and provided 11 assists, matching Messi’s record. According to Opta, he has been directly involved in 22 goals for Real Madrid in these stages, setting a benchmark for strikers under 24.

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With these achievements under his belt, the Brazilian now sets his sights on contending for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

As the Copa America commences this month, Vinicius will also represent Brazil, aiming to continue his stellar form on the international stage.