As Manchester City and Real Madrid are set to go toe-to-toe with each other in the Champions League for the fourth time in the last five seasons, there seems to be a brewing rivalry between both clubs.
With both clubs meeting each other as regularly as they have in the Champions League while also arguably being two of the standout teams in the world over the past few years, the games always tend to be intense — which adds to the sporting enmity on display.
Furthermore, both Real Madrid and Manchester City have handed each other cruel lessons on the pitch; from a Rodrygo Goes-inspired late Los Blancos comeback knocking the Sky Blues out of the semi-final in 2022 to the Sky Blues exacting sweet revenge by demolishing the Spanish giants 5-1 over two legs the following year.
But with Rodri beating Vinicius Jr to the Ballon d’Or in October last year, it seems like there is an added bite about Tuesday’s clash as Los Merengues snubbed the award ceremony in Paris and spoke out against the decision.
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Vinicius’ former and current teammates such as Toni Kroos and Rodrygo sent shots at Rodri as well in what was a surprisingly blunt reaction from the Spanish giants.
Manchester City are likely to let bygones be bygones and focus on winning the game at the Etihad Stadium.
How Man City fans will mock Vinicius Jr about Ballon d’Or snub vs Real Madrid
Pep Guardiola will be hoping that his City side are galvanised by the recent additions of Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov — who have been registered in their Champions League squad and pull off an upset.
While City supporters will be hoping the same, fans tend to have long memories.
With that being the case, ‘We are 1894’ – one of Manchester City’s most recognisable supporter groups plan to unveil a banner during their side’s clash against Real Madrid that features an image of Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or accompanied a message that reads, “Stop crying your heart out.”
Rodri did not mind Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or snub at the time but even he will likely see the humour in the Sky Blues supporters’ message to Vinicius Jr and the reigning champions of Europe as a whole.
The meaning behind Manchester City’s banner vs Real Madrid
Vinicius’ reaction to losing the Ballon d’Or was one where he promised to work 10 times harder than before rather than congratulating the City midfielder on his achievement.
With how the two-time Champions League winner reacted to his defeat, it is natural that Manchester City fans were not appreciative of his potential lack of sportsmanship.
Furthermore, the message, “Stop crying your heart out” is also a song by Oasis, a band synonymous with City.
At the end of the day, the home fans must find ways to throw the visitors off their game.
But whether Vinicius is galvanised by the banner and ends up punishing Pep Guardiola’s men remains to be seen.
