Vinicius Junior says Manchester City’s Banner mocked the Brazilian Ballon D’Or Snub in the 3-2 victory of Real Madrid in Etihad.
City supporters held a big display before Kick-0ff from their Champions League-Knockout-Playout first leg with the midfielder Rodri Holding the Ballon d’Or trophy with the words “Stop Wriding Your Heart Out”-a song by City-Supporting Oasis .
The TIFO referred to the city’s midfielder, who was awarded the prestigious price in October, instead of the real winger Vinicius, with the Spanish giants boycotting the event.
But it was Real and Vinicius, who finally had the last laugh when the Brazilian played a key role in his team’s late gates to achieve a dramatic 3-2 victory, including an assist for Jude Bellingham’s stompine-time winner.
After the game, Vinicius said to Movistar: “I saw it, I saw the banner. Whenever the opposing fans do such things, give me more strength to have a great game, and here I did it. “
He later added: “I was not afraid of any TiFo of rival fans in my life.
“I just want to help the squad and win for Real Madrid”.
Vinicius celebrated City fans in front of the MAN by showing the 15-fold Champions League winner patch on his Real Madrid Kit 🥶 🥶 pic.twitter.com/gw2y6muq5k
– ESPN FC (@Spnfc) February 11, 2025
Carragher: Man City Banner “absolutely ridiculous”
Both managers Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti refused to be pulled on the banner, but the pundit Jamie Carragher believes that the stunt failed massively.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” said Carragher CBS sports About the banner.
“Why would you do it What do you gain from it, even if it is the fans? Why are people annoying why someone wrapped up? Do it at the end of the game when you have switched it off.
“Don’t start me with the celebration police. I don’t know what you get from it – it’s not funny tonight, isn’t it?
“If I got out and Steven Gerrard won the balloon d’Or and he had hit a real Madrid player, that would annoy me as a Liverpool player.
“It’s like a Jinx. I don’t like things like that. Why land some of the best players in the world? I know that Madrid has changed like babies who don’t go there, but behave like the right club.
“Everyone did not laugh at Real whether it is Vinicius Junior or Carlo Ancelotti who did not pick up the manager of the year.”
