Football feeds off the rivarly narrative, and if Manchester City against Real Madrid is not a traditional battle, their encounters over recent years have certainly stoked passions. The Etihad did

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr says the display of a banner highlighting Rodri's Ballon d'Or win before kick-off at Manchester City motivated him even more to win the Champions League play-off first leg.

Manchester City fans made sure to remind Real Madrid that Rodri took home the Ballon d'Or over Vinícius Júnior before the two sides clashed in the Champions League. For the fifth time in the last six years,

Carlo Ancelotti defends Real Madrid's decision to boycott the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony after Vinicius Júnior was overlooked, as he faces Rodri’s Manchester City.

Vinícius Jr revealed that a pre-match banner celebrating Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win gave him extra motivation to help Real Madrid secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Manchester City in their Champions League play-off first leg.

Real Madrid taking on Manchester City has become a significant matchup in the Champions League, with that rivalry reignited today in the playoff first leg. The

Vinicius Jr said a Manchester City banner mocking him at the start of the Champions League game at the Etihad motivated him to play better. As the teams came out for the first leg of their play-off, fans in the South Stand held up a giant banner of Rodri clutching the Ballon d'Or and the Oasic lyric 'Stop crying your heart out'.