Manchester City couldn’t resist poking fun at Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior ahead of their blockbuster Champions League clash on Tuesday night. The hosts commemorated Rodri’s dramatic 2024 Ballon d’Or win with a large banner inside the Etihad Stadium moments before kick-off, which the injured midfielder was caught on camera enjoying from the stands.
Vinicius was the favourite to pick up a maiden Ballon d’Or – a trophy recognising the world’s best footballer across the previous year – after registering 25 goals and 12 assists in 40 games in the 2023/24 season.
However, late reports suggested that Rodri had, in fact, topped the voting after his role in City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title and Spain’s Euro 2024 glory.
Vinicius and his fellow Real representatives then boycotted the ceremony, sparking outrage that has rumbled on, particularly between City and Real’s fans, since.
Both clubs gained an opportunity to earn bragging rights when they were drawn to face each other in the Champions League knockout play-off round, having surprisingly missed out on a top-eight spot.
And City landed the first jab before the match started by showcasing a banner featuring Rodri kissing his Ballon d’Or trophy with the words ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’, an ode to the popular Oasis song.
Cameras then cut to Rodri, behind the City dugout alongside Pep Guardiola’s other unavailable players, who was filming the moment with a smile on his face.
Simultaneously, Vinicius, named in the Real starting lineup by Carlo Ancelotti, made his way onto the Etihad pitch with a stern expression on his face.
Holders Real could only finish 11th in the league phase after winning five and losing three of their eight matches, condemning Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a play-off to progress to the last 16.
City narrowly avoided elimination altogether, sneaking into the top 24 at 22nd, having won three, drawn two and lost three.
The 2023 winners have been punished with a nightmare path to the final, starting with their play-off meeting against now-familiar foes.
The winner of City and Real’s tie will meet Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
A quarter-final against one of Juventus, PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal or Inter Milan would then await Guardiola’s side.
Should the Citizens make it through to the semi-finals, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool or Barcelona are among their potential opponents.
Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund headline the other play-off teams on the other side of the draw and, thus, possible finalists in Munich.
