Vinicius Jr. proved that adversity fuels greatness as he played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City in their Champions League clash.
Ahead of the match at the Etihad, City fans unveiled a massive banner mocking Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or ‘defeat’ to Rodri, featuring the words “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”—a reference to the famous Oasis song—alongside an image of Rodri kissing the trophy. The message was clear: a taunt meant to remind the Brazilian of his second-place finish and Real Madrid’s controversial boycott of the awards ceremony.
But instead of letting the insult get under his skin, Vinicius used it as fuel. With his signature flair and determination, he delivered a commanding performance, heavily influencing Real Madrid’s stunning comeback from 2-1 down in the final minutes. His presence was undeniable, his impact unforgettable.
After the game, Vinicius acknowledged the banner, saying, “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.”
While Pep Guardiola claimed he hadn’t noticed the banner, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher criticized the move, questioning why City fans would provoke one of the world’s best players before such a crucial match.
Now, City must overturn a one-goal deficit when they travel to Madrid for the second leg on February 19. With Vinicius Jr. in top form and motivated more than ever, the battle is far from over.
