Vinicius Jr had the last laugh over trolling Man City fans last night after Real Madrid silenced the Etihad with a stunning comeback.
Before the game, home fans unfurled a huge Oasis-inspired tifo showing City star Rodri kissing his Ballon d’Or trophy along with the words: “Stop crying your heart out.” The wind-up was in response to Madrid and Vinicius Jr throwing a strop by boycotting the ceremony in protest last year. City fans also targeted the Brazilian superstar with chants of ‘Where’s your Ballon d’Or?’ throughout the match.
But the 24-year-old was the one celebrating at full-time as the Champions League holders twice fought back before Jude Bellingham netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a priceless 3-2 win in the knockout playoff first leg. And to rub salt into City’s wounds, Vinicius Jr admitted he was fired up after clocking the banner at the start of the night.
He said: “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.”
Incredibly, it’s the fourth consecutive season that the champions of England and Spain have locked horns in the knockout stages. Carlo Ancelotti’s side emerged with bragging rights last year on their way to a record-extending 15th title when they won the quarter-final on penalties.
Vinicius Jr added: “They know our history, everything we do in this competition. It’s the fifth time we’ve come, it’s always very cold and we have to continue along this line.” The holders are now in the driving seat to book their place in the last 16 ahead of next week’s return leg at the Bernabeu.