Vinicius Jr. was named Man of the Match for his exceptional performance, which was essential in Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City.
The Brazilian forward was at the center of a brawl with the home crowd at the Etihad Stadium, so the evening was not without controversy.
Using a banner to taunt him, City supporters made sure to remind him that he had not received the Ballon d’Or.
Manchester City supporters held up a poster during the game that showed Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or trophy.
A reference to the Oasis song Stop Crying Your Heart Out was included with the picture, along with a jab at Real Madrid by calling them “crybabies.”
Given that Rodri had finished ahead of Vinicius in the final Ballon d’Or rankings, it was obvious that Vinicius was the target of the gesture.
Vinicius’ opinionThey tried to shake him, but Vinicius was unmoved. Later, when discussing the situation, he acknowledged that opposing players are frequently provoked by rival fans.
However, he maintained that such acts merely strengthened his resolve to achieve even better rather than having an impact on him.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Real Madrid attacker stated, “I see the banner, but whenever the opposing fans do something, it gives me more strength to play a great game.”
The attacker also talked about his own response to the City fans, saying that while he didn’t want to get involved too much, he was aware of the two teams’ fierce history in the Champions League.
He continued, “They know our history and everything we can do in this competition, but I try not to do anything.”
City was involved from the start. Shortly after the game, Manchester City’s official social media account shared an image that many saw as a sly jab at Vinicius, further escalating the animosity.
He appeared to be taking a picture of Rodri carrying the Ballon d’Or trophy while holding a camera.
It’s unclear if this was a deliberate jab or only a coincidence, but it undoubtedly deepened the rivalry between the two clubs.
As Real Madrid secured a crucial victory at the Etihad, Vinicius ultimately had the last laugh of the evening.
