Back in October, Vinicius Jr had reacted to his Ballon d’Or disappointment by tweeting in Portuguese, “‘I’ll do it x10 if it’s needed. They’re not ready.” And his display last night suggested he was not kidding.

The Brazilian winger was taunted by Manchester City fans before the game, but put in a man of the match performance to give his side the advantage.

Vinicius Junior started the night with a reminder of his Ballon d'Or heartbreak, but ended it by reminding Manchester City why Real Madrid have such a strong record in the Champions League.

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

Manchester City fans taunted Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior ahead of their Champions League playoff on Tuesday by unfurling a giant banner of Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or. The Spain midfielder was voted the best player in the world last year ahead of Madrid forward Vinicius.

Vinicius Junior responded to Manchester City's Ballon d'Or banner after Real Madrid won at The Etihad in the UEFA Champions League play-offs

If you are going to unfurl a banner mocking one of the game’s supreme athletes with a few craftily chosen Oasis lyrics, you had better be supremely confident of having the final say. But in the end, City supporters’ tifo taunting Vinicius Junior over Rodri’s capture of the Ballon d’Or – “Stop crying your heart out,

Manchester City fans held up a banner saying "Stop crying your heart out" towards Vinicius Junior following his Ballon d'Or snub in October.

Man City fans goaded Real Madrid for Rodri beating Vinícius Júnior to the Ballon d'Or. It's not the first time a tifo was used to troll the opposition.

Ahead of the game, a banner in the Man City end read "Stop crying your heart out" alongside an image of the Ballon d'Or trophy