In a heated El Clasico clash that saw Barcelona dominate Real Madrid with a 4-0 win at the Bernabéu, Vinicius Junior and Gavi’s post-match exchange added fuel to an already intense rivalry.
Real Madrid, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, struggled against their archrivals as Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal, alongside Raphinha and a double from Robert Lewandowski, led the charge for the Catalan side. The win boosted Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga, leaving Real Madrid with much to ponder.
The tension of the match was palpable both on the pitch and on the sidelines, with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and Ancelotti exchanging heated words. After the match, Yamal added a stinging remark, highlighting how Barcelona’s fans outshone Madrid’s in their own stadium, calling it “a lot of fun” to hear his team’s supporters louder than the home crowd.
One of the more notable moments during the match involved Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or-nominated star Vinicius Junior and Barcelona midfielder Gavi. As the score mounted, Gavi taunted Vinicius by flashing four fingers to signify the 4-0 scoreline.
Vinicius, however, quickly responded with a reminder of his prestigious Ballon d’Or nomination. “Yes, yes, but on Monday I’m going for the Ballon d’Or,” he reportedly told Gavi, as reported by El Chiringuito. Gavi, despite his strong performance, wasn’t included in the 30-player shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony, scheduled for October 28 in Paris, has stirred considerable debate. Thierry Henry recently commented on Vinicius’s Ballon d’Or chances, praising him as “outstanding” and one of the best forwards globally, although he noted Vinicius’s underwhelming Copa America performance as a potential setback.
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher also backed Vinicius, emphasizing his contributions to Real Madrid’s Champions League victory as a key factor in his Ballon d’Or candidacy.
With tensions escalating in El Clasico, Real Madrid and Barcelona continue to battle both on and off the pitch, each vying for top honors in Spain and on the global stage.