Real Madrid star ViniciusJr has said that the banner unveiled by Manchester City fans ahead of the Champions League play-off game spurred him on to perform even better, with another separate message to City.. City hosted the Spanish giants at the Etihad Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Tuesday night. Goals from Erling Haaland gave City the lead twice in the match, but goals from Kylian Mbappe, Brahim Diaz and a stoppage time strike from Jude Bellingham saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side come out as 3-2 winners and give them the advantage going into next week’s second leg.. Ahead of kick-off City fans unfurled a banner poking fun at Vinicius Jr’s reaction to being beaten to the Ballon d’Or by City midfielder Rodri. Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony due to the forward not winning the award.. The banner included a picture of Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or with words reading “Stop crying your heart out” displayed next to it, referring to the song by City fans Oasis.. The game saw Vinicius Jr awarded the man of the match award with him providing the assist for Bellingham’s late winner. Following the game, he’s posted a picture of him with the man of the match award on his Instagram page, along with a caption that translates to: “see you in Madrid.”. Instagram. Teammate Bellingham responded to the message with a shining star and white heart emoji.. Speaking to Movistar, via BBC Sport after the game, the forward gave his response to the banner.. “I saw the banner,” he said. “Whenever the opposing fans do things like that they give me more strength to have a great game and here I have done it.”. City will now have to overturn Real’s advantage when they travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday, 19 February (8pm kick-off). The winner of the tie will take on either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the competition.
