Vinícius Júnior said a banner from Manchester City fans — backing Rodri in their Ballon d’Or dispute — helped inspire him to put in a man-of-the-match performance in Real Madrid‘s 3-2 comeback win in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Fans at the Etihad unfurled a banner ahead of the knockout phase playoff first leg showing City midfielder Rodri with the Ballon d’Or trophy he won ahead of Vinícius last year, along with the Oasis song title “Stop Crying Your Heart Out.”
Vinícius was named Player of the Match by UEFA after starring for Madrid on the night, including creating Jude Bellingham‘s 92nd-minute winner by lobbing a pass over City’s stranded goalkeeper Ederson.
“I saw [the banner],” Vinícius told Movistar. “But when opposition fans do things, it always gives me more strength to play a great game, and here I did that. ……
