Vinicius Jr hits back with Ballon d'Or comments after Barcelona star Gavi trolls Real Madrid forward  - Reports

Vinicius Jr delivered a fitting Ballon d'Or response to Barcelona star Gavi following a confrontation between the pair in Real Madrid's 4-0 humbling at home on Saturday (October 26). The Catalan giants secured a statement victory over their rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu to move six points clear of them on the LaLiga table.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid were dealt a severe blow as their rivals ran riot against them, scoring four times in a lopsided second half. Unlike El Clasicos of old, both sides generally maintained good decorum levels throughout the game, resulting in fewer flashpoints and clashes between the players.

Known for his fiery nature, Gavi was introduced in the 87th minute in place of Pedri and received a booking only three minutes later. The Spanish youngster, however, clashed with Vinicius Jr, an encounter which resulted in words being exchanged between the pair.

With his side 4-0 up, Gavi was shown a yellow card for wrestling the Real Madrid star. As he retreated, the Barcelona man raised four fingers at his Real Madrid counterpart to remind him of the scorelines, and Vinicius Jr replied him with a Ballon d'Or claim.

El Chiringuito (via Metro) reported that the Brazil international told the Spaniard that he is going for the Ballon d'Or win on Monday in his response.

"Yes, yes, but on Monday I’m going for the Ballon d’Or," Vinicius Jr was quoted as saying by the publication.

The 68th annual edition of the Ballon d'Or is set to be held in Paris on Monday, October 28, with the forward being one of the leading candidates. He was named among the 30 nominees and has been tipped to win the award.

Vinicius Jr had an uncharacteristically quiet game for Los Blancos in El Clasico, a surprising result after his hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in midweek. The 24-year-old completed just eight passes in 90 minutes, missing one big chance and completing just one dribble.

Barcelona end Real Madrid run with statement Bernabeu victory

Barcelona put paid to Real Madrid's hopes of breaking the Spanish league record of 43 unbeaten games at Santiago Bernabeu. La Blaugrana claimed a 4-0 win away from home to hand Los Blancos a first league defeat in over a year.

Between 2017 and 2018, Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona set a record of 43 games without defeat in LaLiga, and the class of 2024 protected their record. Carlo Ancelotti's side last lost a league game in September 2023 to Atletico Madrid, and their run was ended at 42 games.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice for Hansi Flick's side, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha also contributing a goal apiece. Flick's side have now won 10 of 11 games in LaLiga this season. They hold a lead of six points over Real Madrid with more than a quarter of the season completed.