‘You’re telling me it’s NOT Vinicius Jnr who won that?’: Thierry Henry is stunned by Kevin de Bruyne dubbed MOTM over Real Madrid star in Man City’s draw at the Bernabeu, as he beats the Brazilian and Eduardo Camavinga cites as more deserving winners
- De Bruyne scored a sensational equalizer for City on Tuesday in Madrid
- His attack puts Pep Guardiola’s men in control of next week’s decider
- But Henry felt that Vinicius and Camavinga deserved the Man of the Match more
Kevin de Bruyne was named Man of the Match in Manchester City’s draw at Real Madrid on Tuesday night – much to the astonishment of Thierry Henry and his fellow CBS Sports pundits.
City earned a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Madrid thanks to De Bruyne’s stunning second-half goal at the Bernabeu, which followed an equally stunning opener from Vinicius Jnr nine minutes before the break .
His long-range equalizer means Pep Guardiola’s men can put themselves in control of the tie ahead of next week’s all-important second leg in Manchester.
Despite this, it was two Madrid stars who most impressed Henry on Tuesday night, with Arsenal legend singled out Vinicius Jnr and Eduardo Camavinga for praise in his post-match analysis at CBS Sports.
“Vinicius Jr. played his position and we all know what he can do, and he did it,” he said. “But Camavinga… Camavinga never played at left back in his life. He is [been] has been doing it for two months now, he comes in midfield, one-twos, defensive. He looks strong.
Thierry Henry was stunned by the decision to award Kevin de Bruyne (left) the Man of the Match award over Vinicius Jnr (right) after Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City
Henry expressed his bewilderment on CBS Sports after learning the Belgian’s name was MOTM
De Bruyne’s stunning second-half goal has put City in control of the Champions League game
But his equalizer followed an equally breathtaking opener from Madrid striker Vinicius Jnr
‘But the big man [Vinicius] will make headlines and I think he played better so I’ll give it to Vinicius Jnr but I think Camavinga played an excellent game.’
While the Madrid duo were certainly at their best in the first leg, it was De Bruyne who took home UEFA’s official Man of the Match award despite a difficult night alongside his equaliser.
The Belgian failed to link in-form striker Erling Haaland as regularly and efficiently as he has throughout the season, meaning Henry and co-pundits Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards were stunned to learn he had been awarded the prize in waited.
Presenter Kate Abdo told the trio: “Well, officially it’s been given to Kevin de Bruyne just so you know.”
After Carragher expressed his confusion, Henry continued, “Obviously this is why there’s a difference between ex-players and I don’t know who voted.
‘It’s true. It’s a different game. Love Kevin, great goal. [But] are you telling me it’s not Vinicius Jnr who won that? Come on…’
His overall performance may have been slightly below average, but De Bruyne stepped up to the plate and showed his big game credentials by firing in a spectacular equalizer from the edge of the Madrid penalty area.
And Henry continued to praise the midfielder highly, even calling him the ‘smartest player’ he’s ever seen in the game.
Henry felt that Vinicius Jr.’s overall performance was on the night meant he should have won MOTM
The Arsenal legend also said that Eduardo Camavinga (left) earned more than De Bruyne
“He showed up today,” he added of De Bruyne. “I don’t think he played a great game, but it was an important goal.
“I have to say I’ve encountered a lot of players, played with and against some of the greatest. I think Kevin, his brain is the best I’ve seen. Because his brain, in some places I don’t know what he thinks about sometimes in all honesty.
“You look at him and it’s like he’s not with us, it can almost be a problem because you’re not on his level.
“I think he’s the smartest player I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s just unparalleled, the way he thinks. I saw him off and on with Belgium for six years, you like the guy more because I saw things he did in training and in matches.
‘He’s a perfectionist, unbelievable. Kevin, his brain, I’m still thinking about things I’ve seen and it’s just from another planet.”