Old Trafford · Bernabéu · Turin · 2003 to 2018

Applause from the Enemy

By the Momentos Footy team · Published 27 October 2026

Football crowds exist to back their own side and jeer the other. Three times this century, a home crowd stood to applaud the player who had just beaten them: Ronaldo Nazário at Old Trafford, Ronaldinho at the Bernabéu and Cristiano Ronaldo in Turin.

Old Trafford, 2003

Real Madrid arrived for the Champions League quarter-final second leg 3-1 up. Ronaldo Nazário scored a hat-trick inside an hour, the last a fierce drive from distance. When he was substituted, the whole of Old Trafford rose and applauded him. United, inspired by two late David Beckham goals, won 4-3 on the night and still went out.

The Bernabéu, 2005

With Barcelona already a goal up, Ronaldinho twice picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and scored. Barcelona won 3-0, and the Madrid crowd stood to applaud him. Only one Barcelona player had been given that honour there before: Diego Maradona, in 1983.

Turin, 2018

In the Champions League quarter-final, Dani Carvajal lifted a cross towards the penalty spot and Cristiano Ronaldo met it with an overhead kick from two metres in the air, past Gianluigi Buffon. Real Madrid won 3-0 on the way to a third straight Champions League, and the Juventus fans applauded. Three months later, Juventus signed him.

Bigger than the badge

These moments last because they are so rare. A rival crowd's applause is the one prize a player cannot win by trying.

Frame the moment

Our framed poster Applause from the Enemy tells the story in posterised artwork with the fixture, venue and date. Choose A4 or A3, framed and ready to hang, with free shipping across India. See more in our Champions League posters.

Quick answers

Did Manchester United fans applaud Ronaldo in 2003?

Yes. When Ronaldo Nazário was substituted after his hat-trick at Old Trafford on 23 April 2003, the home crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Did Real Madrid fans applaud Ronaldinho?

Yes, during Barcelona's 3-0 win at the Bernabéu on 19 November 2005. He was the second Barcelona player to receive that honour there, after Diego Maradona in 1983.

Did Juventus fans applaud Cristiano Ronaldo's bicycle kick?

Yes. After his overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League quarter-final in Turin, the home fans stood and applauded.

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The posters from this story

Complete Set Applause from the Enemy Poster Set: R9, Ronaldinho, CR7
Applause from the Enemy · Set of 3 frames

Applause from the Enemy: Complete Set

Football crowds are built to hate the man in the other shirt. Three times, they could not. Old Trafford stood for Ronaldo Nazário's hat-trick in 2003, the Bernabéu rose for Ronaldinho in 2005, and Turin applauded Cristiano Ronaldo's bicycle kick in 2018. Three boards. Three enemy grounds. One sound.

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Momento Ronaldo Nazário Old Trafford 2003 Hat-Trick Poster
Applause from the Enemy · Frame 1

The Phenomenon: Ronaldo at Old Trafford, 2003

Manchester, 23 April 2003. Real Madrid came to Old Trafford 3-1 up from the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, and Ronaldo Nazário scored a hat-trick inside an hour, the last a fierce drive from distance. When he was substituted, the home crowd stood and applauded him off. United won 4-3 on the night and still went out. Framed, matted, ready to hang.

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Momento Ronaldinho at the Bernabéu 2005 Framed Poster
Applause from the Enemy · Frame 2

Sorcery in Madrid: Ronaldinho, 2005

Madrid, 19 November 2005. With Barcelona already a goal up at the Bernabéu, Ronaldinho twice picked the ball up on the left, cut inside and scored, eighteen minutes apart. Barcelona won 3-0, and the Madrid crowd rose to applaud him, an honour no Barcelona player had received there since Diego Maradona in 1983. Framed, matted, ready to hang.

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Momento Cristiano Ronaldo Bicycle Kick v Juventus 2018 Poster
Applause from the Enemy · Frame 3

Defying Gravity: Cristiano Ronaldo, 2018

Turin, 3 April 2018. Real Madrid led Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League quarter-final when Dani Carvajal lifted a cross towards the penalty spot, and Cristiano Ronaldo met it with an overhead kick from two metres in the air, past Gianluigi Buffon. The home crowd stood and applauded. Three months later, Juventus signed him. Framed, matted, ready to hang.

from₹999 View →