With a savage banner reminiscent of Oasis, Manchester City sarcastically reminded Vinicius Jr. of the Ballon d’Or story, but the Real Madrid player ultimately had the last laugh.
Prior to him, in October, City star Rodri took home the coveted accolade for the finest player in the world.
The omission infuriated Los Blancos, who decided to protest by not sending any of their members to the glitzy celebration.
The hosts shrewdly made fun of Vinicius before Real Madrid’s exciting 3-2 Champions League victory over City.
The Brazilian winger was seen entering the stadium in a photo that the Premier League winners shared of their rivals arriving at the Etihad.
His cheeky photo next to a display of Rodri kissing the famous Ballon d’Or trophy caught the attention of keen-eyed enthusiasts.
It was entertaining to supporters, who said, “I saw what you did here.”
“We all see it, right?” said another.
The abuse continued when Vinicius was brutally tifoed by City supporters when they greeted him on the field prior to kickoff.
Behind the goal, those seated near to the away end raised a banner featuring Rodri holding the trophy and the lyrics from Oasis, “Stop crying your heart out.”
While Rodri seemed to take a picture of it, city supporters praised it as “phenomenal” and “superb,” while others expressed concern that it was “all the motivation Real needs.”
During the boycott, a defiant Vinicius, jeered by City supporters, tweeted: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to.” They’re not prepared.
While Rodri seemed to take a picture of it, city supporters praised it as “phenomenal” and “superb,” while others expressed concern that it was “all the motivation Real needs.”
During the boycott, a defiant Vinicius, jeered by City supporters, tweeted: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to.” They’re not prepared.
He even apparently organized a Ballon d’Or party for fifty people to celebrate, so he will be desperate to get one over the wounded Rodri.
As Real Madrid’s incredible late comeback added to Pep Guardiola’s misery, Vinicius Junior said a jeering banner from Manchester City supporters encouraged him.
Before Tuesday night’s heartbreaking 3-2 Champions League play-off first leg loss, City supporters displayed a big tifo that showed Rodri accepting the Ballon d’Or prize with the words, “Stop crying your heart out.”
After Real famously skipped the event in protest of the Brazilian coming second behind Rodri, the remarks were directed at Vinicius; nevertheless, the prank in the stands failed horribly.
“Seeing the banner from Man City supporters inspired me even more,” Vinicius remarked. “It gives me more strength to play a great game whenever rival fans do something.”
In the meantime, Real Madrid TV was obliged to axe the five hours of programming they had planned to celebrate the win, and Nike was forced to discontinue the specially tailored footwear they produced.
Before tonight’s match, manager Carlo Ancelotti doubled down after the team received harsh criticism for missing the ceremony, stating: “I don’t think it was the wrong decision.”
“We believed Vini to be the Ballon d’Or winner.
“Rodri is a terrific player, so that doesn’t mean we don’t respect him. Rodri should have won it the previous year, in my opinion.
According to Pep Guardiola, there was “absolutely not” any animosity toward Real Madrid because of the event.
However, Jude Bellingham’s last-minute victory was made possible by Vinicius’s last chuckle of the evening.
After the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stated: “I don’t know if Vini saw the banner, but if he did, it was a huge source of motivation for him.”