Vinicius Jr. had the final word after Manchester City fans attempted to mock him during Tuesday's Champions League clash between City and Real Madrid. Despite the taunting, it was the Brazilian forward who came out on top, being named Man of the Match following Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory.
The game saw Vinicius play on the left wing as Real Madrid faced off against City in the first leg of their knockout tie. City took the lead early through Erling Haaland’s goal, with Kylian Mbappe leveling for Madrid in the second half. Haaland then put City back in front with a penalty, but the match took a wild turn in the final minutes. Brahim Diaz, a former City player, equalized, and just moments later, Jude Bellingham scored the winner for Madrid in stoppage time.
Before and during the match, City fans aimed jibes at Vinicius, who had been a favorite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or, only for City’s Rodri to claim the award. When the news broke that Vinicius wouldn’t be receiving the prestigious honor, Real Madrid decided to boycott the ceremony. Seizing the opportunity, City fans unfurled a banner before kick-off showing Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or and the words "Stop Crying Your Heart Out," referencing the famous Oasis song.
Vinicius, aware of the mocking banner, used it as motivation for his performance. During the match, City fans taunted him with chants of "Where’s your Ballon d'Or?" In response, Vinicius cheekily pointed to the Champions League badge on his shirt, symbolizing his two European titles, in a subtle reminder of his success with Madrid.
The taunts clearly fired him up, as Vinicius had a significant role in his team's victory, assisting both Diaz and Bellingham for their goals. After the game, he admitted that the mockery had spurred him on. "I saw it, and it motivated me to play even better," Vinicius said. "We managed to win, and now we go back to Madrid where our fans will make it even more special. We know our history in this competition, and we’ll continue fighting."
Vinicius remained focused on the second leg, acknowledging that it would be a tough challenge, but reaffirming Madrid's belief in their ability to perform in the Champions League. With a crucial 90 minutes still ahead, Vinicius and Madrid will look to defend their advantage and make another statement in front of their passionate supporters.
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