Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez has proven time and again he is the man for the big occasion in the Champions League, most recently in last week’s semifinal first-leg draw against Arsenal.
After Viktor Gyökeres’ penalty put the Gunners ahead just before halftime, Álvarez leveled things early in the second half with a spot kick of his own. The goal was the Argentine’s 10th in the competition this season, trailing only Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé (15) and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane (13).
Álvarez has also added four assists, totaling 14 goal contributions in 14 Champions League appearances in 2025-26. And it is by no means a one-off.
A remarkable Champions League record
Across his Champions League career with Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, the forward has averaged a goal or assist every 80 minutes, with 34 contributions in 2,710 minutes, including 25 goals and nine assists.
Among forwards with at least 20 goal contributions in the competition, only Erling Haaland, his former strike partner at Manchester City, has a better rate, averaging one every 74 minutes.
Chasing elite company
Álvarez cannot quite match Haaland, which is unsurprising given the Norwegian’s remarkable scoring record in the Champions League, but he does edge international teammate Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, in another metric.
As noted, Álvarez’s strike against Arsenal was the 25th goal of his Champions League career, a tally he reached in just 41 games.
That makes the 26-year-old the Argentine player to hit that milestone in the fewest appearances. Messi needed 42 matches to get there, fast, but not as fast as Álvarez, who looks set to play a key role if Atlético Madrid are to finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy for the first time.
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