Diomande Matches Obafemi Martins’ 23-Year-Old Champions League Feat
Real Madrid’s Ivorian winger Yan Diomande has joined former Nigerian international Obafemi Martins in the UEFA Champions League history books after scoring and providing an assist in the same match on Wednesday night.
The 19-year-old achieved the feat during Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig, becoming the youngest African player to register both a goal and an assist in a single Champions League encounter since Martins accomplished the feat for Inter Milan against Arsenal in September 2003.
Martins produced his memorable performance at Highbury on September 17, 2003, setting up Julio Cruz for Inter’s opening goal before scoring the Italian side’s third in a stunning 3-0 victory over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
The Nigerian striker, then 18, announced himself on one of European football’s biggest stages with a performance that helped Inter secure a famous away victory.
Twenty-three years later, Diomande has followed in his footsteps, adding another significant achievement to his emerging career.
The Ivorian completed Madrid’s scoring against his former club Leipzig with a powerful volley as the Spanish giants maintained their perfect start to the Champions League campaign.
Diomande’s latest milestone comes just days after he became Real Madrid’s youngest player this century to score and assist in the same LaLiga match, achieving that feat against Sevilla at 19 years and 338 days.
