Vinicius Junior claimed a mocking banner by Manchester City supporters spurred him on as Real Madrid’s remarkable late comeback piled more misery on Pep Guardiola.
City fans unveiled a giant tifo before Tuesday night’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League play-off first leg defeat, depicting Rodri collecting the Ballon d’Or award, with a message reading: ‘Stop crying your heart out.’
The words were aimed at Vinicius after Real infamously boycotted the event in protest at the Brazilian finishing second behind Rodri – but the stunt in the stands backfired spectacularly.