The Tifo That Triggered Vinicius Júnior’s Revenge
They say revenge is best served cold, and Vinicius Júnior chose the perfect moment to take his. The Brazilian did not forget the message fans of Manchester City sent when Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024… and he waited for the ideal opportunity to respond.
In that Champions League match, the “Citizen” fans displayed a tifo with the phrase “Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” a clear reference to the iconic song by Oasis. It’s no small detail: Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher, members of the band, are well-known supporters of the Manchester team.
The message was interpreted by Vinicius as a personal jab. It’s worth remembering that the Brazilian chose not to attend the Ballon d’Or gala and even canceled a celebration in Paris, confident he would win. However, the award ended up in the hands of Spanish midfielder Rodri.
Although the Manchester City camp insisted the message was directed at Florentino Pérez, Vinicius took it personally… and didn’t let it slide.
Revenge at the Etihad Stadium
The response came at the most important moment. After scoring at the Etihad Stadium, the forward celebrated with a clear gesture: bringing his hands to his face, mimicking tears in front of the stands. A celebration full of meaning, right after scoring the goal that practically sealed the tie and secured Real Madrid’s spot in the quarterfinals.
The goal also had a personal element. In the first leg, Vinicius had missed a penalty; in Manchester, he didn’t forgive and turned that frustration into a goal and a direct message to the rival fans.
As expected, the gesture did not go down well with City supporters, who surely have him marked for the next encounter. All signs point to a response, fueling a rivalry that, in intensity and context, is already shaping up to become a modern European football classic.
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