Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr expressed that a banner displayed by Manchester City fans prior to their Champions League clash served as a significant motivator for him. The banner, which celebrated Rodri's Ballon d'Or win with the words "Stop crying your heart out," was unfurled at the Etihad Stadium, referencing the controversy surrounding the award ceremony where Real felt their own player deserved the accolade. Despite the taunts, it was Real Madrid who emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, thanks in part to Jude Bellingham’s last-minute goal.

Vinicius Jr acknowledged the impact of the banner, stating, "Whenever the opposing fans do things like that they give me more strength to have a great game." His performance was instrumental in leading Real Madrid to triumph, continuing a strong tradition of success in the knockout stages of the Champions League, where the two clubs have met multiple times in recent years.

As they prepare for the second leg of the tie in Madrid, Bellingham, who has been in fine form this season, highlighted the importance of taking a lead back to the Bernabeu. He emphasized the psychological challenges in knockout games, noting that tactical and mental aspects play crucial roles. With the momentum on their side, Real Madrid looks forward to leveraging their home advantage in the upcoming match.