Kyle Walker reveals stern warning he gave Vinicius Jr during innocent-looking hug after Champions League game
MANCHESTER CITY’S Kyle Walker has revealed the stern warning he gave Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during their innocent-looking hug last week.
The two sides met in the Spanish capital seven days ago for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash.
Vinicius Jr, 22, opened the scoring on the 36-minute mark with a thunderbolt.
Kevin de Bruyne replied with a screamer of his own to put City on level terms heading into the second leg at the Etihad on Wednesday.
After the game both City full-back Walker and Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr were spotted sharing a surprising embrace.
Now the 32-year-old England international has revealed that he had a hidden warning for the Samba star before claiming that all the fun and games would stop come kick-off at the Etihad.
Walker said: “I went to hug him because he tried to rainbow flick me!
“I was like ‘please don’t try that again and make me a meme.’
“Boxers have a battle and shake hands after. You give the level of respect because they deserve it.
“Carrying a massive club like Real Madrid over the line in the Champions League, you show your respect.
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“Tomorrow night, I’ll give him the respect he deserves but before that is dog eat dog.”
Vinicius Jr has produced 23 goals and 21 assists in 53 games this season and Walker knows he will have to be at the top of his game to keep him quiet.
However, after performing brilliantly to keep Kylian Mbappe quiet during England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, he remains confident that he can perform a similar job against the Brazilian.
Walker added: “I take it as any other game, you have to show him respect.
“Like Mbappe at the World Cup – you give them the respect they deserve. I’m representing City, the ambition for the club is massive.
“If I can’t compete with these top players, I shouldn’t be here.
“I need to make sure I come against the best and can deal with the best.”