UCL: Your banner motivated me even more – Vinicius fires back at Man City fans

Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior has hit back at Manchester City fans over their banner which mocked him before his side’s Champions League playoffs first leg 3-2 win against the Premier League champions on Tuesday.

As both teams walked out to the Etihad pitch, Man City’s supporters unveiled a huge banner which showed midfielder Rodri kissing the 2024 Ballon d’Or trophy along with the message: ‘Stop crying your heart out.’

DAILY POST reports that the banner was a clear dig at Real Madrid’s reaction to Vinicius losing out to Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race last October, with the Spanish LaLiga club boycotting the award ceremony in Paris.

Reacting, Vinicius said the banner from Man City fans motivated him even more.

According to the Brazilian, it gives him more strength to play a great game against the opponent.

“I saw the banner from Man City fans… and it motivated me even more,” Vinicius said after the match as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“Whenever rival fans do things, it gives me more strength to play a great game.”

He added, “It’s difficult to explain what happens with Real Madrid in the Champions League.

“But you can see that we wanted to win. That is the mission, that is the plan”.

Man City now have a mountain to climb in the return leg at Santiago Bernabeu next week.

UCL: Your banner motivated me even more – Vinicius fires back at Man City fans