Vinicius Junior - one of the finest footballers on the planet right now and undoubtedly in the Ballon d’Or conversation after narrowly missing out to Rodri last year - has graced some of the beautiful game’s most iconic and atmospheric stadiums. With over 350 games under his belt, spanning his early days in Brazil to his trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid, including two Champions League titles, it’s a safe bet he’s got stories worth telling.
And yet, despite his globetrotting football journey and exposure to a kaleidoscope of different fan cultures, it was one understated British venue - rarely praised for its atmosphere - that left a lasting impression on the 24-year-old. He’s already made football pilgrimages to the likes of Anfield and the Emirates Stadium in recent years, but the surprise standout for him was Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
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Long mocked for its lack of identity, and often labelled a ‘library’ by rival fans, the Etihad Stadium has often felt like the outlier in Pep Guardiola’s symphony of success - a theatre of dominance with a matchday mood some claim is more subdued than stirring. But perhaps that narrative belongs in the past. Despite ending up on the wrong side of the result, Vinicius Junior clearly soaked in his experience in the northwest back in 2023 and left feeling curiously moved.
Vinicius Jr Recalls 'Unique Atmosphere' At Etihad Stadium
The Cityzens ran out 4-0 victors in the 2023 Champions League semi-final clash
Vini Jr vs Man City
Considering the Etihad Stadium ranked poorly in a recent study of the 50 best stadiums in Europe - and given that most English football fans wouldn’t place Man City supporters among the Premier League’s most intimidating fanbases - it’s already surprising that Vinicius Jr left M11 with a very different impression.
But if that caught you off guard, wait until you hear which chant left such a mark on him. While English football fans are known for some of the most creative terrace anthems on the continent - just look at England’s iconic “It’s Coming Home” or Liverpool’s “Allez Allez Allez” - the Brazil international was most struck by something far more watered down. He said (see the full video below):
"I’ve never seen anything like it, when the Man City fans sing, ‘Oh Kevin De Bruyne!’ It’s a unique atmosphere. Even I started singing along…”
You can tell just by the look on Vinicius' face that he enjoyed his trip to the Etihad Stadium in 2023, and one X user was quick to do some digging and find the exact moment the elusive winger fell in love with the oft-criticised City atmosphere. Watch the moment below:
It’s safe to say he didn’t enjoy the result quite as much. After the Cityzens held the Champions League juggernauts to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the 2023 semi-final, Kevin De Bruyne and company put their foot down in relentless fashion, putting Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the sword with a 4-0 demolition in the return leg.
From there, the Cityzens marched to Istanbul, where they edged out Inter Milan in a tense final. It was Rodri who arrived late to the party - literally - ghosting into a packed penalty area to lash home the only goal of the night. That strike not only sealed Man City’s long-awaited maiden European crown but also completed a historic treble for the 2022/23 campaign.
As for Rodri, it added extra shine to his Ballon d’Or credentials as he nudged out Vinicius Jr in the race for football’s most coveted individual prize several months later - a fact that the Brazilian still struggles to fully come to terms with even now.