Manchester City fans unveil BRUTAL banner mocking Vini Jr after his Ballon d’Or snub… and injured Rodri is seen taking a picture of it!

Manchester City fans made headlines when they unveiled a banner mocking Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. in a playful yet brutal display before their Champions League clash. This came after Vinicius Jr. was notably snubbed for the Ballon d’Or, an award that had instead been given to Manchester City’s Rodri. The timing of this moment, ahead of a highly anticipated match between the two European giants, added another layer to the already tense rivalry between the clubs. The banner was strategically revealed just moments before the game kicked off, further amplifying the already heightened emotions.

The banner depicted a smiling Rodri, kissing the Ballon d’Or trophy he had won ahead of Vinicius Jr., with a playful but cutting slogan beneath it: “Stop Crying Your Heart Out.” This phrase, taken from the title of an iconic song by Oasis, a band beloved by many Manchester City fans, added a personal touch to the mockery. The song’s title seemed particularly apt, given the frustration that Vinicius Jr. had publicly expressed after his failure to claim the prestigious individual award. As the banner was unfurled, it quickly became clear that it was not just a humorous dig but a statement about the ongoing tension between the two sides, who have faced each other in multiple high-stakes encounters in recent years.

The fans behind the banner, known as “We Are 1894,” had teased earlier in the day that they would display something bold. The reference to the Oasis song was not a coincidence. Liam Gallagher, the iconic lead singer of Oasis and a known Manchester City supporter, reacted to the tease by commenting “SAUCEPOTS,” a playful nod to the City supporters’ ongoing rivalry with Madrid. This comment from Gallagher, who is as famous for his passion as for his music, added another layer of celebrity involvement to the whole affair, making it clear that this was not just a fan issue but something that had captured public attention.

As the game was about to begin, the banner was unfurled, drawing attention from the crowd, players, and even media outlets. Rodri, who had been sidelined with an ACL injury at the time, was spotted taking a picture of the banner as he sat on the City bench, acknowledging the humor in the situation. His apparent enjoyment of the banner only added to the narrative of the rivalry. Despite being injured and unable to play, Rodri found himself at the center of the storm, both as a figure of triumph and a subject of lighthearted mockery.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony that year had been highly anticipated, especially with two major contenders: Vinicius Jr. and Rodri. The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, and winning it is often seen as the pinnacle of a player’s career. For Vinicius Jr., this year’s ceremony had been particularly emotional, as many expected him to take home the prize after his outstanding performances for Real Madrid. However, it was Rodri, the defensive midfielder for Manchester City, who ultimately claimed the award, much to the surprise and disappointment of Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid.

When the news of Rodri’s victory broke on the morning of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, it was met with immediate backlash from Real Madrid and their supporters. The team, already frustrated by the lack of recognition for their star player, decided to boycott the event. Vinicius Jr. and several other key figures from Real Madrid did not attend the gala, choosing instead to stay away in protest of what they considered an unfair outcome. This decision not to attend the ceremony marked a significant moment in the ongoing rivalry between the two clubs, particularly because it seemed to underscore Real Madrid’s displeasure with the decision-making process of the award.

For many, this boycott represented a sour note in what had been an otherwise incredible season for Real Madrid. The club had won several major honors, including the Champions League and La Liga, but the failure to have their Brazilian star recognized by the Ballon d’Or voters left a bitter taste. The absence of Real Madrid representatives at the ceremony was a clear message that they felt slighted by the results, especially given that Vinicius Jr. had been one of the most influential players in world football over the previous season.

Rodri, on the other hand, had enjoyed a remarkable year, having helped Manchester City secure the Premier League title while also playing a crucial role in Spain’s victory at the European Championship. His performances, particularly in high-stakes matches, had earned him widespread praise from pundits, players, and coaches alike. However, despite his significant contributions to his team’s success, the award came as a surprise to many, not only because of the stiff competition he faced from Vinicius Jr. but also due to the nature of his position on the pitch. Midfielders, particularly defensive ones like Rodri, often get overlooked in favor of more glamorous attacking players, making his triumph all the more impressive.

For Vinicius Jr., the decision to pull out of the ceremony was an emotional response to the disappointment of finishing second. His performances for Real Madrid had been stellar, with his blistering pace and skill on the ball making him one of the most feared attackers in Europe. Many believed that the Ballon d’Or should have been awarded to him after his efforts in guiding Real Madrid to multiple titles. The reaction from Vinicius Jr. and the club following the snub was indicative of how seriously they took the award, and how deeply it affected them emotionally. For a player of Vinicius Jr.’s caliber, a Ballon d’Or win would have been a crowning achievement and recognition of his immense talent.

Despite the snub, Manchester City fans were quick to seize the opportunity to rub salt in the wound. The unfurling of the banner was not just a lighthearted joke; it was a pointed reminder of the tension between the two clubs, especially after Real Madrid’s boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony. For Manchester City fans, this was a chance to poke fun at their rivals, who had publicly shown their displeasure with the results. The display was also a testament to the growing confidence and arrogance of Manchester City, who, after years of dominance in the Premier League, were now making their mark on the European stage as well.

Rodri’s victory at the Ballon d’Or was a defining moment in his career, and despite the controversy surrounding the award, it solidified his place among the world’s best players. As for Real Madrid, the reaction to the award was a clear indication of how much the Ballon d’Or means to the club and its players. While Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s manager, later defended the club’s decision not to attend the ceremony, expressing that they still respected Rodri and his achievements, the underlying frustration was evident. Ancelotti’s comments suggested that Real Madrid, while disappointed, did not harbor ill will toward Rodri, who he described as a fantastic player deserving of recognition, even if he believed Vinicius Jr. had earned the award.

The fallout from the Ballon d’Or controversy didn’t end with the ceremony. As Manchester City and Real Madrid prepared for their upcoming Champions League clash, the atmosphere was charged with the tension from the previous months. These two clubs had already developed a fierce rivalry, with both sides often finding themselves at odds in Europe’s most prestigious competition. The drama surrounding the Ballon d’Or only added fuel to the fire, with fans of both sides eagerly anticipating the next chapter in what had become a bitter and competitive rivalry.

For Manchester City, the match against Real Madrid was another opportunity to assert their dominance over one of Europe’s elite clubs. The addition of the banner and the playful jabs at Vinicius Jr. only heightened the anticipation, adding an extra layer of drama to the encounter. For Real Madrid, the match was a chance to show that they could overcome the disappointment of the Ballon d’Or snub and focus on the task at hand: securing a victory in one of the toughest competitions in world football.

In the end, the incident with the banner, while a humorous and lighthearted moment for City fans, also highlighted the underlying rivalry and fierce competition between the two clubs. It also served as a reminder of how much the Ballon d’Or, a symbol of individual recognition, means to the players and clubs involved. Despite the playful mockery, both teams remained focused on their ultimate goal: winning the Champions League and asserting their dominance on the European stage. As for Vinicius Jr., while the disappointment of the Ballon d’Or snub was still fresh, his focus remained firmly on helping his team achieve success in the coming months.

The rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid is sure to continue, with each new encounter adding another chapter to their storied history. Whether through playful banners or intense matches on the pitch, the competition between these two clubs remains one of the most thrilling in European football. For Rodri, his Ballon d’Or victory remains a significant milestone in his career, while Vinicius Jr.’s journey is far from over. The drama of the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony will likely be remembered as a pivotal moment in both players’ careers, setting the stage for future encounters between two of the most powerful clubs in world football.