A feeling of déjà vu would have struck Manchester City fans after witnessing Arsenal thrash Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final — considering the Sky Blues similarly obliterated the Spanish giants when they beat them 4-0 during their treble-winning campaign.
However, Manchester City are longer the same team and their sole focuses will not be placed on merely qualifying for Europe’s elite competition and winning the FA Cup this season.
But after witnessing Carlo Ancelotti’s side learn a footballing lesson from the Gunners, the City supporters were far from envious and had a sense of humour about the proceedings.
Vinicius Jr was the butt of Manchester City fans’ jokes as they mocked him to the hilt as he could not help Real Madrid lay a glove on Arsenal. Vinicius’ response to losing the Ballon d’Or to Rodri was not one where he congratulated the Spaniard but one where he wrote on social media: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”
- READ MORE: Pep Guardiola shares how he feels about Vini Jr and Real Madrid’s Rodri Ballon d’Or boycott
Man City fans mock Vinicius Jr after Arsenal vs Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-final
One Manchester City fan took shots at Vinicius and his decline in form for Real Madrid after his side’s defeat against Arsenal: “Vinicius has scored six goals in 27 games since the Ballon d’Or, Rodri fully destroyed him.”
Another City supporter claimed Rodri demolished the Brazilian’s confidence, writing: “Rodri ended Vini’s career. He hasn’t been the same since October 28, 2024 [the day Rodri won the Ballon d’Or].”
A third Manchester City fan happily predicted Vinicius to never win the award after Arsenal beat Real Madrid — pinpointing how players like Rodrygo fired shots at Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win: ” Madrid and Brazilian players really acted like Rodri didn’t deserve the Ballon d’Or for that guy man. I sleep well knowing he’ll never touch it.”
A fourth Sky Blues supporter went as far as to state that the fact that the two-time Champions League winner even finished behind the midfield maestro in the Ballon d’Or race was a shock: “I can’t believe Vini was even a runner-up behind Rodri, let alone him thinking he deserved the Ballon d’Or.”
A fifth fan chimed in as well: “Vini Jr said he’ll deliver 10x to win the Ballon d’Or after Rodri beat him last time…tonight he delivered 10x alright — 10x to Arsenal.”
Finally, a sixth Manchester City fan ruthlessly mocked Vinicius’ Ballon d’Or charge, effectively backing Rodri once again after Real Madrid lost to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final: “Vini Jr Ballon d’Or 2025 charge going well I see”, followed by a ‘laughing emoji.’
Vinicius Jr’s stats for Real Madrid vs Arsenal as he had a shocker
Vinicius’ camp expected to win the Ballon d’Or and upon discovering that Rodri was set to make history, they decided not to even show up for the event in Paris.
Rodri’s reaction to Vinicius boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony was to simply pour water over a hot topic at the time and emphasise that his focus on his teammates, Manchester City and his supporters.
But the 24-year-old’s latest display against Arsenal might indicate that he could already be out of the running to win the award this year as he had a game to forget — as the stats suggest.
| VINICIUS JR’S STATS VS ARSENAL | |
| GOALS AND ASSISTS | 0 |
| CHANCES CREATED | 0 |
| SUCCESFUL DRIBBLES | 0/3 |
| XG + XA | 0.11 |
| SHOTS ON TARGET | 0/3 |
With Vinicius having such a shocker against Arsenal in the Champions League, it is no surprise to see Manchester City fans tear into the Real Madrid winger after his response to Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or instead of him.
Considering the decorated wideman has suffered such a dip in form this year as well, it seems like his promise of further upping his game to win the award has not aged well.
