Even the greatest strikers of the modern era would be proud to match a record set by legendary Manchester United frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But when you’re talking about a midfielder joining the iconic centre-forward in the history books, then an already impressive achievement takes on an entirely different feel altogether.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy certainly set his fair share of records during the naughties. Under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, this sharpest of sharpshooters scored in 10 successive Premier League games, Razor Ruud only knocked off that particular podium by Jamie Vardy in the midst of Leicester’s glorious coupon-busting campaign well over a decade later.
Van Nistelrooy also became Manchester United‘s most prolific ever European goalscorer and, after moving to Real Madrid in 2006, equalled Los Blancos legend Hugo Sanchez for the most goals scored in consecutive La Liga matches too.
One of Van Nistelrooy’s more niche records was broken on Sunday, meanwhile, by a man who could have followed in his footsteps at Old Trafford but ended up doing so at the Santiago Bernabeu instead.
Manchester United could have had Jude Bellinhgam
Jude Bellingham, arguably Man United’s most painful ‘one that got away‘ in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, joined Van Nistelrooy in the history books when finding the net in both of his first two Clasico fixtures in La Liga.
In fact, he’s hit the net three times home and away against Barcelona since moving to the Spanish capital from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham’s achievement arguably outstrips that of the flying Dutchman too, when you consider that not only is he a midfielder, but also the fact that both of his goals were 92nd minute winners for a Real side now on the verge of domestic glory.
Bellingham thundered a stoppage-time rocket into Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s net in October. His decider on Sunday was not quite as spectacular – steered into the roof of the net from close range – but it was no less glorious, Bellingham’s 21nd in all competitions meaning Real are potentially just a fortnight away from the title.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona to all-but secure La Liga title
The former Birmingham City starlet, when thumping in Lucas Vazquez’s late cross, also found himself doing someone no one has done in Real Madrid colours since another Manchester United legend.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the last Real player to score in both games against Barcelona in a single La Liga campaign.
“It was really disappointing,” former United captain Bryan Robson told The Telegraph recently, mirroring the frustration felt by everyone at Old Trafford after the Red Devils missed out on the chance to sign a 16-year-old Bellingham, a few months before he would seal a £30 million move to Germany.
“We were at Carrington and Sir Alex Ferguson was there a little earlier than I was. But Eric (Cantona) and I met him, and his mum and dad, and we were chatting away. It was really looking promising that he was going to be signing for Manchester United.
“Me and Eric did a rubbish job as he signed for Borussia! We thought we had him in the bag!”
