In a dramatic Champions League showdown at Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr turned motivation into triumph after Manchester City fans prominently displayed a banner honoring Rodri’s Ballon d'Or win. The banner, reading 'Stop crying your heart out,' only served to galvanize Vinicius Jr, who delivered a stellar performance as Real Madrid edged past City with a 3-2 victory.

Background The fixture between Real Madrid and Manchester City has become a recurring highlight of the Champions League, with this being their fifth encounter in six seasons. Last year, Real Madrid emerged victorious in a penalty shootout during the quarter-finals, eventually claiming their 15th title.

Match Highlights The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Jude Bellingham delivering yet another last-minute goal to secure the win for Real Madrid. Bellingham’s heroics echoed his recent exploits for England in Euro 2024, further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.

Post-Match Reactions Vinicius Jr, visibly fired up by the pre-match spectacle, told Movistar, 'Whenever the opposing fans do things like that, they give me more strength to have a great game, and here I have done it.' Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, praised Bellingham’s performance, calling it 'a top game for him.'

Bellingham, reflecting on the match, acknowledged Manchester City’s strength, stating, 'I don’t care what form City are in; they are still an unbelievable team. It’s always tricky to play against them, and we finally took the chance at the end.'

Looking Ahead The stage is now set for an electrifying second leg at the Bernabeu in Madrid. With a narrow lead, Real Madrid will aim to leverage their home advantage to secure a spot in the next round, while Manchester City will look to overturn the deficit in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.