Top 6 Footballers Who Were Given A Standing Ovation From the Opposition Fans

Sometimes in football you have to swallow your pride and accept that an opponent is better. After all, fans are there for the appreciation of the beautiful game and when seeing the truly beautiful side of football manifesting itself out on the pitch, it's instinctive to applaud, regardless of who the player is representing.

It does take a lot for a rival set of fans to acknowledge an opponent - but it does happen. Here, we look back at some of the best examples of when footballers were given a standing ovation from the opposition's supporters.

Ronaldo at Old Trafford (Manchester United v Real Madrid - 2003)

The 'original' Ronaldo wasn't bad in his pomp and when Madrid's Galacticos arrived at Old Trafford in April 2003, the Brazilian striker lived up to his billing by putting on a clinic of world-class finishing.

United won 4-3 on the night, but United's fans clapped rapturously after accepting the brilliance of Ronaldo when he was substituted.

Ronaldinho at the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid v Barcelona - 2005)

Another Brazilian, another Selecao masterclass. Only this time it was the Madrid fans applauding the other side's player as Ronaldinho ruled the El Clasico with a performance of unanswerable superiority.

Pulling the Madrid defenders about like rag dolls all evening, Ronaldinho confirmed his status as the greatest player on the planet at the time when he ghosted past the Madrid defence and slotted home a lovely goal to wrap up a big win for Barca.

Alessandro Del Piero at the Bernabeu (Real Madrid v Juventus - 2008)

Madrid's fans were in a concessionary mood once again when the outstanding Italian forward gave one of the greatest solo performances in history in the group stage of the Champions League.

Juve defeated Madrid 2-0, thanks to a Del Piero masterclass. After scoring two long-ranged missiles, the Italian walked off the pitch to a standing ovation from every corner of the giant stadium, clapping him off like he was one of their own.

Dennis Bergkamp at Maine Road (Manchester City v Arsenal - 2003)

Bergkamp was always one of those players you just had to appreciate, even if you hated the Arsenal, purely because of his class and poise.

The Dutch maestro single-handedly tore a terrible Manchester City to shreds with a terrific hattrick back in 2003, prompting the City fans to give him a standing ovation in unanimous praise.

Thierry Henry at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland v Arsenal - 2003)

What was remarkable about this standing ovation was that the Frenchman had managed to outshine Freddie Ljungberg, despite the Swede grabbing a hat trick.

But while Ljungberg went home with the matchball, Henry stole the headlines - and the Sunderland fans' hearts - with a sublime exhibition when he was arguably at his very best.

Henry scored and set up all three of his teammates' strikes and, as Sunderland fans stared into the abyss of relegation, they still found it in their hearts to acknowledge the brilliance of their opponent.

Lionel Messi at the Bernabeu (Real Madrid v Barcelona - 2009)

Back when Messi was still considered to be a rising star, he showed everyone around the world exactly what to expect in years to come when he shone in a match where every Barcelona player outplayed their opponents in white.

Messi scored twice, and a had a hand in two others as the diminutive Argentine gave the Madrid defenders nightmares for weeks to come.

It was the first time the Bernabeu crowd had got to their feet for Messi, but it certainly wasn't the last time he broke their hearts.

Steven Gerrard at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea v Liverpool - 2015)

It's fair to say there's a lot of history between Gerrard and Chelsea. The former England and Liverpool captain was an inch away from joining the Jose Mourinho revolution at Stamford Bridge in 2005 but decided to stay with his boyhood club.

Having never tasted Premier League success, Gerrard finally came to within touching distance only for his slip to lead to a Chelsea victory at Anfield in 2014 and end any hopes of a first league triumph.

However, despite their years of mutual animosity, Gerrard was given a standing ovation after scoring Liverpool's equaliser and playing his final game against the Blues after announcing his departure from the Reds last season. An unexpected gesture.

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