(Reuters) - Some Manchester City fans took a not-so-subtle dig at Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr during Tuesday's Champions League playoff game, displaying a banner showing City midfielder Rodri with the Ballon d'Or trophy beside the caption, "Stop crying your heart out."
But Vinicius, who said he believed his activism against racism led to him not winning the prestigious award last year, used the mocking banner as fuel, helping Jude Bellingham score a late winner as Real clinched a 3-2 victory in the first leg of the tie.
