February 11th 2025.
Vinicius Jr had the last laugh in an exhilarating Champions League match against Manchester City. As the first leg of the play-off unfolded at the Etihad stadium, it seemed like City had the upper hand. However, Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham came back strong, securing a 3-2 victory and drawing first blood before the second leg in Madrid next week.
Throughout the game, City fans took pleasure in taunting Vinicius. The talented Brazilian had been a top contender for the Ballon d'Or award last year, but was ultimately beaten by City star Rodri. In protest, Real Madrid and Vinicius boycotted the awards ceremony, which only fueled City fans to mock him even more. They even unveiled a banner, inspired by the band Oasis, showing Rodri holding the award with the words 'Stop crying your heart out'.
But Vinicius had the last laugh. He played a crucial role in Real's comeback, providing the assist for Bellingham's winning goal and earning himself the man of the match award. And when City fans chanted 'where's your Ballon d'Or?', Vinicius simply pointed to the badge on his left shoulder, representing Real's 15 Champions League victories, two of which he had been a part of.
After the match, when asked about the attention he received from City fans, Vinicius confidently reminded them to 'know our history'. He explained that their taunts only motivated him to play even better on the field. "They know our history, everything we have achieved in this competition," he told Movistar. "This is our fifth time in the Champions League, and we always show up strong, even in the toughest conditions. We just need to keep going in this direction."
Vinicius also emphasized the importance of team effort, rather than individual achievements. "It doesn't matter who scores or who is named MVP," he said. "We are all here to do great things for this club and to bring Real Madrid to the highest level." Looking ahead to the second leg, Vinicius highlighted the importance of defending well and having the support of their fans to make it a truly magical night.
With the return leg taking place at the Bernabeu next week, Real Madrid has a chance to secure their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. And Vinicius will surely be looking to have the last laugh once again, as he and his team continue to make history in the competition.
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