Angel Di Maria Surpasses Lionel Messi, Only Behind Cristiano Ronaldo in Champions League Assist List
Juventus attacker Angel di Maria has moved ahead of his compatriot Lionel Messi in the all-time Champions League assist list.
Maria was sensational for Juventus in their recent match in the Champions League as the Old Lady secured a 3-1 win over Maccabi Haifa.
Adrien Rabiot bagged a brace and Dusan Vlahovic scored one for Juventus in the match, with Maria assisting all three goals. Against Maccabi Haifa, Juventus broke the deadlock in the 35th minute through Rabiot, with Di Maria providing Frenchman the assist.
Juventus doubled their advantage in the 50th minute with Di Maria this time turning the provider for Vlahovic. After Maccabi Haifa pulled one back, Rabiot made it 3-1 for Juventus by heading home from a Di Maria corner.
That means Di Maria has overtaken compatriot Lionel Messi in the all-time Champions League assist list. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar has so provided 37 assists in the Champions League, one less than Di Maria.
The Portuguese superstar has made a total of 42 assists in the Champions League, four more than what Di Maria has so far managed.
But Di Maria has the opportunity to close on the gap and even surpass Ronaldo’s numbers this season. Ronaldo does not feature in the Champions League this season after his current club Man Utd finished sixth in the Premier League last season.
Meanwhile, despite the win over Maccabi Haifa, Juventus languish at third in the Champions League Group H.
The Old Lady have played three matches in the group stage so far in their Champions League 22/23 campaign. The Italian side lost their first two matches – to PSG and Benfica – before securing a win over Maccabi Haifa.
PSG top the group with seven points from their first three matches, while Benfica sits second, also with seven points. Maccabi Haifa is bottom of the table, having lost all three matches they have played.
Juventus resume their Serie A campaign next. They take on fierce rivals AC Milan in their next match in the Italian top flight.
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