Manchester City’s Champions League hopes took a hit after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Real Madrid, but it wasn’t just the match that grabbed headlines.
Before kickoff at the Etihad Stadium, City fans unveiled a banner mocking Madrid over Vinicius Jr’s Ballon d’Or snub, a move that backfired spectacularly.
The match saw City take the lead twice, with Erling Haaland scoring both goals. However, Madrid equalized each time—first through Kylian Mbappe and later via Brahim Diaz.
In stoppage time, Jude Bellingham sealed Madrid’s victory, leaving City needing a comeback at the Bernabeu to stay in the tournament.
Jamie Carragher criticized City fans for provoking Madrid, calling it unnecessary and a potential jinx.
He argued that while Real Madrid acted poorly by boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony, City should have shown more class instead of adding fuel to the rivalry.
Carragher insisted that winding up top players before a crucial match is a mistake, and City’s painful defeat only reinforced his point.