Vinicius Junior mocks Manchester City's Ballon d'Or banner, but Real Madrid's star has the final laugh.

Vinicius was second behind Rodri in the voting for last year's Ballon d'Or.

Vinicius Junior said he was inspired by a banner unfurled by Manchester City fans ahead of Real Madrid's thrilling Champions League victory.

The Brazilian was voted player of the match as Real twice rallied from behind to defeat City 3-2 in the first leg of their play-off encounter, setting up Jude Bellingham's last-gasp winner at the Etihad Stadium.

Vinicius was booed throughout, and as the players went out before kickoff, a large tifo was displayed behind one of the goals.

"Stop crying your heart out" was the caption beside a photo of Rodri and the Ballon d'Or trophy, ridiculing Real for missing last year's presentation.

Vinicius was the frontrunner to win football's most prestigious individual trophy for the first time, but it was revealed in the run-up to the presentation that Rodri had won the vote, and Real decided not to send any representatives, despite winning other accolades.

Jamie Carragher chastised Manchester City fans for their "ridiculous" banner, but it was Vinicius who got the last laugh.

"I saw a banner from Manchester City fans. "It inspired me even more," he remarked.

"Whenever rival fans do things, it gives me more strength to play a great game."

Vinicius has 16 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, and he sparkled at the Etihad Stadium, with boss Carlo Ancelotti believing that the pre-match show benefited the Brazilian.

"I don't know if he has seen [the banner]," Ancelotti stated.

"Watching his game may have served as motivation for him. "He has always been extremely dangerous."

Comments

Barcelona's final attempt to register Dani Olmo will face a court battle.

Barcelona's chances of having Dani Olmo and Pau Victor available for the rest of the season appear to be dwindling. After missing the deadline to remain registered for the remainder of the season, Barcelona delivered La Liga all of the necessary documentation for the sale of their VIP seats, a deal worth an estimated €110 million that would allow them to do so. However, due to the missing deadline, La Liga would not allow Barcelona to keep Olmo and Victor registered, as rules prohibit players from being registered twice. As a result, Barcelona's sole contractual option is to file a court appeal to their decision. According to MD, they have a variety of legal options. They may claim force majeure, which refers to unforeseeable situations that prevent them from assembling the documentation for La Liga, but legal experts say that is unlikely to qualify for that verdict. However, according to the Catalan daily, the most likely argument is that the registration period be extended...

Rodri of Manchester City criticizes Real Madrid's tactics following their Champions League defeat: I only saw one squad.

Rodri complained about Real Madrid's tactics after Manchester City's painful Champions League quarter-final loss, saying he "saw only one team" striving to win. City's European title defence came to an end in agony on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, with the Spanish giants winning 4-3 in penalties after a 1-1 draw on the night made the tie 4-4 on aggregate. The holders dominated the match, with 33 shots on goal to the visitors' eight, but Real defended deep to frustrate them and ultimately extinguish their dreams of a second consecutive triple. City midfielder Rodri stated, "To be honest, I only saw one team. They defended well. They knew how to suffer, and we know how resilient Real Madrid is. "But, in my opinion, we should take that many chances; yet, this is the trick of this competition. They understand how to play it. We congratulate them. "We gave all, and there is nothing to regret. This can occasionally be football. This demonstrat...

Borussia Dortmund is 'considering a bid' for Marcus Rashford.

Borussia Dortmund is investigating a transfer for Marcus Rashford. According to the Athletic's David Ornstein, the Bundesliga club has joined the hunt for Manchester United's out-of-favour attacker in the summer. Rashford has become a peripheral character at Old Trafford with the arrival of Rúben Amorim, being dropped from four consecutive matchday lineups. He returned for a home loss to Newcastle but missed last weekend's draw at Liverpool due to illness, and his long-term chances remain bleak. Rashford has also been linked with Serie A giants Milan and Juventus, as well as many undisclosed Premier League suitors.

AS Roma's Journey: Examining Changes And Challenges In The Scudetto Race This Season.

AS Roma’s 2025-26 Serie A campaign has evolved into a riveting saga defined by transformation, strategic coaching, and a bold pursuit of Italy’s top football prize, the Scudetto. After years of competing in the shadows of traditional Serie A giants, Roma’s journey this season is shaped by an ambitious renewal under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, whose tenure signals tactical innovation and a refreshingly aggressive style. This extensive blog explores Roma’s tactical metamorphosis, squad dynamics, key player impacts, and the multifaceted challenges they face as genuine title contenders in a fiercely competitive Serie A landscape. The Gasperini Revolution: Tactical Philosophy and Identity Gian Piero Gasperini’s arrival in 2025 marked a pivotal shift for Roma, introducing a high-energy, tactical system focused on dynamic wing-back play, compact defensive units, and rapid transitions. Gasperini’s hallmark 3-4-2-1 or a variant of 3-4-3 formation revolves around creating numerical superiority...

Real Madrid's Ambitious Summer 2026 Transfer Plans: A New Era Begins

Real Madrid’s summer 2026 transfer window is shaping up as one of the most consequential chapters in the club’s modern era: a systematic, multi‑layered rebuild that will define the post‑Kroos–Modric–Rudiger–Alaba generation of the Santiago Bernabéu. With Florentino Pérez’s administration and manager Álvaro Arbeloa (or Xabi Alonso, depending on the current setup) agreeing that the squad has hit a physical and competitive ceiling, the club is preparing for as many as five or six signings across defense, midfield, and attack, effectively launching a new era built around youth, speed, and a more modern tactical identity. The End of an Era and the Need for Reset Real Madrid’s 2025–26 season has laid bare the cracks in a project that, for years, papered over age‑related drop‑offs with individual brilliance and tactical pragmatism. The departures of legends like Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos, combined with the lingering questions over David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger’s fitness and long‑term roles...

Dribble Diaries

Search This Blog