The Real striker unlocked the result in Manchester and cheered in the faces of opposing fans who, in February last year, had dedicated a taunting choreography to him, quoting Oasis

At Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, Real Madrid closed the Champions League quarterfinal qualifying accounts as early as the first half, and they did so with Vinicius Jr.’s trademark strike. The Brazilian, in the 22nd minute, earned a penalty, which also cost Bernardo Silva’s expulsion for a hand foul on the line. From the penalty spot he made no mistake – he had failed in the same situation in the first leg at the Bernabeu – coolly converting. Then came the polemical exultation against the home fans who a year ago – on Feb. 12, 2025 – had dedicated a polemical banner to him quoting a great Oasis hit, “Stop crying your heart out.” This was accompanied by a photo of Rodri printing a kiss to the Ballon d’Or. A few months earlier, in fact, Rodri had been voted the best player of 2024 at the expense of Vinicius himself, who did not take it well, deciding to desert the award ceremony along with the entire Real Madrid team.

Emotional load-  Real won that time as well, yet Vinicius wanted to take a new revenge. First he mimed his finger over his mouth to hush the stadium, then he approached the City fans’ stand, brought his hands to his cheeks miming crying “Cry, cry!” addressed to the Citizens’ fans. A gesture obviously destined to cause controversy. The episode will fuel the debate on the appropriateness of the gesture, which obviously added to the nervousness on the field: in the final of the first half, in fact, Khusanov’s harsh intervention on Vinicius, a caution and the referee’s call to the captains of the two teams to lower the harshness of the clashes of play. Certainly, the Brazilian was not intimidated and, in the midst of recovery,