Vinícius Closing In on Neymar's Champions League Record After Benfica Goal

The Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior is steadily climbing the ranks of Brazilian Champions League history, now just 12 goals behind Neymar's record of 43 (needing 13 to surpass) after netting his 31st career goal in Europe's elite club competition during the recent match at Benfica's Estádio da Luz. At age 25, the winger has time on his side to potentially eclipse his compatriot's benchmark—a milestone that once seemed untouchable but now appears increasingly attainable.

Why This Matters:

• Vinícius has overtaken legends Kaká (30 goals) and Rivaldo (27 goals) in the all-time Brazilian Champions League scoring charts.

• He needs 13 more goals to surpass Neymar, who at 34 no longer competes in the tournament.

• The achievement would cement the young Brazilian's legacy in European football and is especially meaningful for Portugal-based fans who witnessed the goal scored on home soil at the Luz.

• His trajectory mirrors a different path from Neymar: gradual development within an elite club rather than instant stardom.

A Record Within Reach

The numbers tell a compelling story. Vinícius Júnior's 31 Champions League goals place him second among all Brazilian players in the competition's history, behind only Neymar's 43 strikes. He has already surpassed iconic names like Kaká, who finished his European career with 30 goals, and Rivaldo, who recorded 27. Other current Brazilian talents trail further back: Rodrygo, also of Real Madrid, sits at 26 goals, tied with Gabriel Jesus.

Given Neymar's departure from European football—he currently plays for Santos in Brazil—and his age, the likelihood of him adding to his Champions League tally is virtually nonexistent. This opens a clear runway for Vinícius to claim the top spot, provided he maintains his current trajectory and avoids long-term injury.

In the ongoing 2025-2026 Champions League campaign, Vinícius has registered 2 goals and 6 assists across 9 appearances, playing 720 minutes. While his goal output this season has been modest, his 32 total attempts (averaging 3.56 per match) demonstrate persistent offensive intent and suggest the goals will come as the knockout stages progress.

Portugal's Connection to Brazilian Brilliance

Portugal-based football fans have a unique vantage point on this storyline. The goal Vinícius scored at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon not only added to his personal tally but also underscored the enduring link between Portuguese clubs and Brazilian footballing excellence. Among the top Brazilian Champions League scorers, Mário Jardel stands out as a figure who thrilled Portugal audiences with prolific spells at both FC Porto and Sporting CP during his career. His presence on the list of top 10 Brazilian scorers reminds fans of the deep historical ties between Brazilian talent and Portuguese football.

The match at Benfica's historic stadium, however, was overshadowed by controversy. Vinícius alleged that Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni directed a racist insult at him—specifically calling him a "monkey"—after he scored. Prestianni denied the accusation, claiming he used a homophobic slur instead and that Vinícius misheard. The incident triggered UEFA's anti-racism protocol, causing a 10-minute stoppage as Vinícius considered leaving the pitch. Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappé reportedly heard the insult repeated five times and backed Vinícius's account. UEFA has opened an investigation, while Benfica defended Prestianni and characterized the accusations as a defamation campaign.

Different Paths to European Stardom

The contrast between Vinícius Júnior's career arc and Neymar's European journey is instructive. Neymar arrived at FC Barcelona in 2013 as an established superstar, commanding a €57 M transfer fee from Santos and immediately slotting into the legendary MSN attacking trio alongside Messi and Suárez. He won the Champions League in his second season (2014-15) as part of a treble-winning campaign. Four years later, Neymar's world-record €222 M move to Paris Saint-Germain was framed as a quest to step out of Messi's shadow and lead a project to European glory—a goal that ultimately eluded him despite domestic dominance.

Vinícius, by contrast, joined Real Madrid in 2018 at age 18 for €46 M—the second-most expensive transfer from Brazil at the time, behind only Neymar's Barcelona move. He arrived as a long-term investment, joining the club during a transitional phase following Cristiano Ronaldo's departure. His early years were marked by adaptation struggles, but under Zinedine Zidane and later Carlo Ancelotti, he matured from a raw, electric winger into a complete forward. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final and added another in the 2024 final, earning Champions League Player of the Season honors and finishing runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 2024.

Current Season: Resilience After Struggles

The 2025-2026 campaign has tested Vinícius's resilience. In La Liga, he has contributed 8 goals and 5 assists in 23 appearances, totaling 13 direct goal involvements. His goals-per-90-minutes rate stands at 0.41, with a combined goal-plus-assist rate of 0.66 per 90. He has taken 63 shots with 27 on target (a 42.86% accuracy rate), converting roughly one goal every 7.88 attempts.

Advanced metrics reveal his offensive threat: his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90 minutes is 0.35, placing him in the 89th percentile among La Liga players. He has created 44 chances, including 6 big chances, and recorded 5 expected assists (xA). His dribbling remains a weapon, with 56 successful dribbles and 126 progressive carries that beat defenders.

However, the season began poorly. Vinícius endured a 15-match goalless streak stretching into January 2026, his worst drought since the 2020-21 season. But a dramatic turnaround came in February: he delivered two goals and a standout performance against Real Sociedad, followed by one goal and two assists in a 6-1 demolition of Monaco. These displays helped him reach a career milestone of 200 goal contributions for Real Madrid (115 goals and 85 assists) across 356 appearances since joining in 2018.

What This Means for Residents

For Portugal-based Real Madrid supporters and neutral football fans, Vinícius Júnior's pursuit of Neymar's record offers a compelling subplot to follow over the next seasons. Given Real Madrid's frequent presence in the latter stages of the Champions League, opportunities for Vinícius to add goals will come regularly. If he averages even a modest 5-6 Champions League goals per season, he could surpass Neymar's 43-goal mark within 2-3 years.

The recent racial controversy at the Estádio da Luz has also thrust Portugal's football culture into the international spotlight. While the investigation continues, the incident underscores ongoing challenges around racism in European football—a reality that affects not just visiting players but also the reputation of host nations. How Portuguese authorities and UEFA handle the case will send a message about the seriousness with which discrimination is treated in the sport.

A Legacy in the Making

At just 25, Vinícius Júnior has already carved out a distinguished Champions League career. His tally of 31 goals surpasses Brazilian icons and positions him as the heir apparent to Neymar's throne. With Neymar no longer competing in Europe and Vinícius entering his prime years, the record appears not only reachable but likely—barring unforeseen setbacks.

The convergence of his offensive evolution, his club's consistent Champions League success, and Neymar's exit from the European stage creates ideal conditions for history to be rewritten. Portugal-based fans should take note: they are witnessing the gradual ascent of a player who may one day be remembered as the greatest Brazilian goalscorer in the history of Europe's most prestigious club competition.