Cold blooded retort as banner taunt blows up in fans' face
Vinicius Jr had the last laugh after Manchester City fans taunted the Real Madrid star by unfurling a giant banner of Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or during Wednesday's (AEDT) Champions League clash.
The Spain midfielder was voted the best player in the world last year ahead of Madrid forward Vinicius.
Madrid had boycotted the gala ceremony in Paris in October when Rodri was presented with football's most prestigious individual award.
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Manchester City fans display a banner of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. Getty
"Stop crying your heart out" read a message on the banner inside Etihad Stadium, in reference to a hit record by Manchester rock band Oasis.
But Vinicius - awarded player of the match - helped inspire a thrilling 3-2 comeback win to silence the home supporters at Etihad Stadium.
The Brazilian and Brahim Diaz - a former City academy player - shrugged at the crowd after City goalkeeper Ederson failed to adequately deal with Vinicius' shot and Diaz scored from the rebound.
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Before the clash, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended the club's Ballon d'Or no show.
"I don't think it was the wrong decision," he said.
"We didn't want to participate because we thought that Vinicius was the winner of the Ballon d'Or.
"And this doesn't mean we have no respect of Rodri that won the Ballon d'Or because he is a fantastic player. But I think we thought, and I thought, that Rodrigo deserved to win the year before."
City manager Pep Guardiola had said earlier that there was no bad blood between the rivals after the controversy - and defender Ruben Dias also downplayed it.
"Being very honest with you, I didn't spend one second thinking about if it was disrespectful or not. I was happy with Rodri. I was there. I celebrated with him that night," Dias said.
