Vinicius Jr explains ‘crying’ celebration after Madrid triumph over Man City

Vinicius Jr put in a man of the match performance as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 2-1 to progress to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal 5-1 on aggregate.

Real Madrid went in front in the 22nd minute through Vinicius Jr. After a chaotic sequence saw Bernardo Silva sent off for a deliberate handball on the line, the Brazilian international stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Upon scoring, the star forward celebrated by silencing the crowd before mimicking a crying gesture, a move that sparked outrage among the home faithful.

Vinicius Junior won the Player Of The Match award after Madrid’s victory over Manchester City. (Photo by Alex Pantling – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Following the match, Vinicius who also scored the second goal was quick to clarify that his actions were not as a result of general disrespect but were instead a targeted response to the treatment he received during Madrid’s previous visit to Manchester.

“The last time we came here, the Manchester City fans were making fun of me,” the forward explained, referring to banners mocking his second-place finish to Rodri in the 2024 Ballon d’Or. “I wasn’t disrespecting City fans, but it was a way for me to prove myself to them.”

Aside from the celebration, it is also an historic night for the forward, who has now been involved in eight goals against City, a record surpassed only by Lionel Messi (9) in the competition’s history.

The Brazilian forward will now be eager to continue his good form when Madrid face a new foe in the quarterfinal..

With 10 matches left in La Liga, Madrid are four points behind leaders Barcelona. In the season’s final stretch, Vini must maintain his explosive form, if he wants to win any silverware.