Manchester City Fans Target Vinicius with Controversial Banner

MANCHESTER, England — The atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium was electrified on February 11, 2025, as Manchester City faced Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League playoff match. The tension escalated not only from the competitive stakes but also from a provocative banner displayed by City fans aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

As the players took the field, a massive banner reading “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” alongside an image of Manchester City’s Rodri kissing his Ballon d’Or was unfurled in the South Stand. This message, a nod to the famous Oasis song, was interpreted by many as a jab at Vinicius, who opted to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony after learning he would not win the prestigious award.

Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or, was watching from the stands, recovering from a severe knee injury. He quickly captured the moment on his phone, intrigued by the unexpected tribute from the fans. The display lasted over five minutes, creating an atmosphere thick with anticipation before the match began.

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola addressed the banner in pre-match comments but chose to downplay the incident. Ancelotti stated, “There is no resentment towards City. Rodri earned that award, and I am happy for him. Vinicius had an extraordinary year and deserved recognition as well.”

Guardiola echoed these sentiments, insisting he didn’t want to waste time on the controversy, saying, “I was happy for Rodri, and that’s all that matters right now.”

The timing of the banner coincided with heightened tensions surrounding the Ballon d’Or award, where Vinicius was expected to be a strong contender. Real Madrid did not attend the event once they learned that Rodri would be the winner. The fans’ actions at the Etihad helped to fuel an already charged atmosphere as the teams competed for a place in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Throughout the match, Vinicius faced additional pressure as fans booed every touch he made. The hostility he faced was amplified by the earlier banner, which aimed to unsettle him before the game. As the match developed, it became apparent that this was not just a battle for advancement in the tournament, but also a clash of emotions, reputation, and pride.

Despite the distractions, Vinicius seemed prepared to channel the negativity into a strong performance for his team. In a post-match tweet following a tough second position in the Ballon d’Or race, he stated, “I will do it ten more times if necessary. They are not prepared.”

The match itself ended with Real Madrid pulling off a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over the Citizens. Vinicius, regarded as a key player for Madrid, was instrumental in both the buildup and execution leading to their decisive goals, thus ending the narrative of the night in a contrasting fashion.

As the dust settles after this encounter, the psychological battle between these two giants continues, especially as they prepare for the second leg in Madrid next week. Both teams will need to put aside these off-field dramas if they hope to secure progression in this year’s Champions League.