Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester City, Rodri, Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr, Champions League
Luke Davies
Topics: Manchester City, Rodri, Ballon d'Or, Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr, Champions League
Manchester City midfielder Rodri was spotted in the stands of the Etihad, and fans were amused by what he did after he spotted a huge tifo dedicated to him.
Rodri, 28, has not played since sustaining a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) in the 2-2 draw in the Premier League against Arsenal back in September.
Despite his long-term absence, he was still awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or in October, much to the dismay of Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr, who looked likely to pick up the gong ahead of the official announcement. Madrid boycotted the ceremony as a result.
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And ahead of the Champions League play-off first leg this week, journalists were keen to ask both managers’ opinions.
"I don't think it was the wrong decision,” said Carlo Ancelotti.
"We thought Vini was the winner of the Ballon D'Or. It doesn't mean we don't respect Rodri because he is a fantastic player. I think Rodri deserved to win it the year before."
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While Pep Guardiola played down any talk of a feud between the clubs.
"There are absolutely no hard feelings," said Guardiola. "Vinicius had an incredible year, just like Rodri. It's similar to the past when Messi and Ronaldo were battling for the award. The matter is finished."
The Spanish midfielder was in attendance at the Etihad on Tuesday and was clearly pleased with the tifo and decided to film the display, with an image of him kissing the Ballon d’Or accompanied by the words “stop crying your heart out”, seemingly as a dig towards Madrid and Vini Jr.
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Fans gave their thoughts on social media.
One said: "Man City fans dropping Stop Crying Your Heart Out on Madrid like it’s an encore performance. Rodri sealing it with a Ballon d’Or kiss? Pure villain arc energy.
"Madrid better come with receipts, or this one’s gonna sting for a while."
Another added: "They will be going home crying tonight when Madrid does what they do."
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A third commented: "City cooked with this one."
While a fourth explained: "I hope Vini don't allow this get to him that he starts to misbehave on the pitch, he needs to act like he isn't aware because his anger is the target here."
As a fifth joked: "This is hilarious."
Another exclaimed: "If Madrid lose tonight the head loss from their fans after this will be generational."