Ballon-d’Or winner photographs the campaign
Fans mocking opposing world star with a huge banner
11.02.2025 – 9:53 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Already in the intermediate round of the Champions League, two absolute top teams meet with City and Real. There was an unsightly reception in Manchester for a player of the Madrilenen.
It is the absolute crash duel in the playoffs of the Champions League: With Manchester City and Real Madrid, two absolute heavy weights of top European football duel to move into the round of 16. Before the kick -off of the first leg in the Etihad Stadium, there was a small scandal. Because a star of the visiting team was mocked by the domestic fans in the big style.
What happened? When the two teams invited, the followers of the “Cityzens” unrolled a huge banner on one of the grandstands of the arena. To see there: Manchester’s currently injured playmaker Rodri, how he kisses the balloon d’Or. The Spanish European champion had received the award as a world footballer last year, prolonged the actually favorite Vinícius Júnior.
In addition to the Rodris portrait, a single sentence was also read on the banner, which held up the city fans. Written there was: “Stop Crying Your Heart Out” (German: “Stop, your heart to cry”). A clear swipe against Vinícius Júnior.
Because: When shortly before the balloon was awarded that the Brazilian would not win the trophy, Real Madrid quickly canceled participation in the event. Not a single professional or delegate of the club appeared.
In a statement, the “royal” said at the time: “It is clear that the Ballon d’Or Real Madrid is not respected. And Real Madrid will not go anywhere where it is not respected.” In addition, the club wrote: “If Vinícius’ award criteria do not name as the winner, the same criteria should name Carvajal as the winner.” But the right -back was also not awarded the golden ball.
At the time, Vinícius himself wrote on X: “I do it ten times, if necessary. You are not prepared.” Apparently a declaration of war of the 24-year-old in the direction of the journalists who are responsible for the allocation of the balloon d’Or. A congratulations on Rodri to win was meanwhile from the real professional.
He took the aversion of his opponent, which was caught against him, very calmly shortly afterwards. “I didn’t miss the fact that Vinícius did not congratulate me. I take care of my people, my family and my club,” said Rodri in November, who did not miss a teasing towards Madrid. “I wouldn’t have done what Real Madrid did by not appearing to the gala, but it has no point in thinking about it even more.”
Rodri can be sure to support his own club and his follower. Last but not least, this shows the choreography of the fans against Real. Spicy: Rodri showed recordings during the campaign in the stands how he took a photo of the banner. Obviously, he enjoyed the swipe against Vinícius a little more than would have been suspected in the past few months.