Vinicius Junior has hit back at Barcelona star Gavi with a brutal Ballon d’Or reminder after Real Madrid lost El Clasico 4-0 at the Bernabéu on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded Real team were stunned by their arch rivals thanks to goals from Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and a double from Robert Lewandowski.
Tempers flared both during and after the Spanish showdown with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick involved in a clash with Ancelotti on the touchline.
Euro 2024 superstar Yamal trolled Real after the match and said ‘[it is] a lot of fun when you can hear your fans more than those of the opposition in its stadium.’
During the clash, meanwhile, there was a tense confrontation between Ballon d’Or-nominated Vinicius Junior and Barcelona’s star midfielder Gavi.
Gavi was seen flashing four fingers right in the Brazilian’s face to remind him of the scoreline but Vinicius Junior had the perfect response.
‘Yes, yes, but on Monday I’m going for the Ballon d’Or,’ Vinicius Junior told Gavi, as per reports from El Chiringuito.
The Ballon d’Or is given to the best player in world football every year and the 68th annual ceremony is set to take place in Paris on Monday, October 28.
A total of 30 players were nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or – including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior – but Gavi was not included.
Thierry Henry recently revealed his pick for the Ballon d’Or – and came close to picking Vinicius Junior – but decided against it after his performances for Brazil at the Copa America.
‘Vini Jr didn’t perform at the Copa America,’ Henry said. ‘But is he [still] a worthy winner? Yes.
‘He is outstanding, I keep on saying. For me, right now, as a forward, he is the best in the world. So he deserves it [too].’
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher added: ‘I’d go for Vini Jr. They won the Champions League, which is the biggest thing you can win in club football. It’s difficult for Rodri because of the position he plays. Very few players win it in that position, whether you are a holding midfield player or a defender.’