Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has equaled Lionel Messi’s record for the most number of goals scored in a single UEFA Champions League season. The Real Madrid superstar’s strike on Wednesday night against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final first-leg at Santiago Bernabeu took his tally to 14 goals for 2013-14 campaign. Plus, he set a record tonight, scoring in 8 consecutive Champions League matches.
Ronaldo is now level with Messi, who netted 14 goals in 11 Champions League matches during the 2011-12 Tournament. Remarkably, the Portuguese has matched the Barcelona ace’s tally in just eight outings this term, averaging at a rate of 49.07 minutes per goal. This is a record in itself as no player has scored at such a fast rate in Europe’s elite and most prestigious competition.
Lionel Messi’s average during his record-breaking 2011-12 season was 70.71 minutes per goal, while Ruud Van Nistelrooy seemed even more prolific during Manchester United’s run to the quarter finals in 2002-03. The Dutchman scored 12 goals in total, taking his average to 57 minutes per goal.
Ronaldo has the chance to beat Messi’s record against Borussia Dortmund in the return leg next week when Real Madrid travel to Signal Iduna Park.
Despite scoring a goal and equaling Messi’s record, Ronaldo suffered a minor injury, forcing him off at Bernabeu where they tasted a 3-0 victory. While the injury didn’t look severe, the former Manchester United forward should bounce back from injury next week in time to set a new UEFA Champions League record.
