7 footballers who were applauded by the opposition fans for their displays

Football stadiums can often turn into cauldrons of abuse and hatred as teams go up against their biggest rivals. But every once in a while, footballers manage to capture the attention of the opposition fans and even evoke applause from them thanks to their skills and flair.Here are a few instances where home fans have openly applauded opposition players for their wizardry on the pitch.

#7 Alfredo di Stefano

In 1952, during a tournament to celebrate Real Madrid's 50th anniversary, the Santiago Bernabeu faithful got their first glimpse of future club legend Alfredo di Stefano.

Playing for Colombian outfit Millonarios at the time, Di Stefano put on a stirring display that had the Madridistas stand up and applaud the genius of the Blond Arrow.

#6 Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham was the first English player to join Real Madrid when he completed a move from West Bromwich Albion in 1979.

Although his Madrid career was constantly disrupted by injuries, Cunningham was able to leave a lasting impression on the Camp Nou crowd during an El Clasico in his debut season in Spain.

Cunningham put in a magical display to help Real Madrid to a 2-0 win and the Englishman impressed the home fans so much that they all rose in unison as he departed the field.

#5 Alessandro del Piero

Alessandro del Piero is a Juventus legend alright, but the Italian was respected worldwide for his skills as a footballer. As Del Piero put in a magical display in front of a packed Bernabeu to lead Juventus to a 2-0 win against Real Madrid, the Madridistas were left spellbound.

The Italian forward scored both goals from outside the box, including one free-kick that left Iker Casillas stranded. As Il Fenomeno Vero (The Real Phenomenon) was substituted in the latter part of the game, the Bernabeau stood up to give the Italian a rousing applause and send off.

Even Madrid coach Bernd Schuster said: “I enjoyed the ovation given to Alessandro Del Piero because he is a great player, he has proved his class and the Bernabéu recognised this fact.”

#4 Diego Maradona

There have hardly been any football fans who haven't been mesmerised by the genius of Diego Maradona. On 26 June 1983, Real Madrid played host to bitter rivals FC Barcelona led by a certain Maradona.

After 57 minutes, Barcelona were leading 1-0 and Maradona was about to make things worse for the hosts. The diminutive Argentinian forward set off on a mazy run that ended with the ball in the Madrid net - after toying with the goalkeeper and the defender near the goalmouth.

The whole stadium stood up in admiration of a moment of magic that El Diego had produced.

#3 Andres Iniesta

Few moments in football could match up emotionally as the one in the closing stages of the Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona on 12 December 2010. At around the 86th minute, Andres Iniesta was brought off the field and was given one of the most rousing send-offs that has been witnessed in recent years.

A few months earlier in the World Cup final, Iniesta had scored what proved to be the winner for Spain and unveiled a message to the late Espanyol defender Dani Jarque who had died all of a sudden in 2009. The Espanyol fans, on that December day, showed just how much the gesture had meant to them.

The most recent applause Iniesta received was perhaps even more noteworthy as he was sent off to an ovation from the Madrid faithful at the Santiago Bernabeu for his role in the 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid.

#2 Ronaldo

Brazilian legend Ronaldo put in one of the best performances ever witnessed on a European night during his side's 3-4 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2003. Although Real Madrid lost the tie, Ronaldo's hat-trick ensured that they had done enough to progress on aggregate.

As Ronaldo was substituted, the Brazilian was graciously applauded by the 70,000+ capacity crowd at the Theatre of Dreams.

#1 Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho produced one of the most mind-boggling El Clasico displays in 2005 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Brazilian danced through the right side of Madrid's defence before slotting past Iker Casillas and he bewildered the stranded Madrid defence moments later as he slotted an outstanding goal past Casillas yet again to round off a 3-0 win.

The Bernabeu faithful, who were watching their own team get decimated, still knew that they were witnessing something special and stood up to applaud the artistry that they had the privilege of viewing.