Vinicius Junior says Manchester City’s banner mocking the Brazilian’s Ballon d’Or snub gave him strength in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win at the Etihad.
City supporters held up a huge display prior to kick-0ff of their Champions League knockout play-off first leg showing midfielder Rodri holding the Ballon d’Or trophy with the words “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” – a song by City-supporting band Oasis.
The tifo was in reference to the City midfielder being awarded the prestigious prize in October instead of Real winger Vinicius, with prompted the Spanish giants to boycott the event.
But it was Real and Vinicius who eventually had the last laugh with the Brazilian playing a key role in both of his side’s late goals to earn a dramatic 3-2 win, including an assist for Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time winner.
After the game, Vinicius told Movistar: “I saw it, I saw the banner. Whenever the opposing fans do things like that they give me more strength to have a great game and here I have done it.”
He later added: “I was never scared in my life by any tifo, by rival fans.
“I just want to help the squad and win for Real Madrid”.
Vinicius celebrated in front of the Man City fans by pointing at the 15-time Champions League winners patch on his Real Madrid kit 🥶 pic.twitter.com/GW2y6MUQ5K
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 11, 2025
Carragher: Man City banner “absolutely ridiculous”
Both managers Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on the banner but pundit Jamie Carragher believes the stunt massively backfired.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Carragher told CBS Sports about the banner.
“Why would you do it? What do you gain from it, even if it’s the fans? Why annoy people, why wind someone up? Do it at the end of the game, when you’ve knocked them out.
“Don’t start me on the celebration police. I don’t know what you gain out of it – it’s not funny tonight, is it?
“If I was coming out and Steven Gerrard had won the Ballon d’Or, and he’d beaten a Real Madrid player, that would annoy me as a Liverpool player.
“It’s like a jinx. I don’t like stuff like that. Why wind up some of the best players in the world? I know Madrid acted like babies not going there, but act like the proper club.
“Everyone laughed at Real not going, whether it’s Vinicius Junior or Carlo Ancelotti not picking up the manager of the year.”