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Fans play the role of the 12th man as they can often determine the outcome of matches with their undying support or through jeers and boos for the opposition. Stadiums like Anfield, Old Trafford, Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu are notoriously difficult arenas for away teams, especially on big European nights.
However, there have been some magnificent performances from opposition players that have seen the home fans stand up and applaud.
We take a look at five legendary footballers who received a standing ovation from rival fans.
#5 Steven Gerrard vs. Chelsea
The Liverpool legend is undoubtedly one of the greatest-ever one-club men in world football, spending 17 seasons at his boyhood club.
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Steven Gerrard flirted with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2005 when he handed in a transfer request to Liverpool. The move eventually fell through and the Englishman pledged his loyalty to the Reds for the rest of his career. Some of Gerrard's best performances came against the Blues but that memory was trumped by his infamous slip which arguably cost Liverpool their first title in the Premier League era.
Over the years there had been no love lost between Gerrard and the Chelsea fans, but that took a backseat in the Englishman's last game at Stamford Bridge. True to form, Gerrard scored Liverpool's equalizer to seal a 1-1 draw against their arch-rivals.
Much to everyone's surprise, the home fans applauded with the Liverpool fans when Gerrard went off the pitch. It was a beautiful moment that showcased the spirit of football in all its glory.
#4 Andres Iniesta vs. Real Madrid
Andres Iniesta is one of the best midfielders of all time. He played a pivotal role in Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side, which was described by Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best team I have ever faced."
The Spain and Barcelona legend was a constant challenge for Real Madrid during his 16 seasons in Catalonia. However, the Madridistas finally applauded his greatness in one of Iniesta's last El Clasico appearances. The midfield maestro was nearing the end of his career in Spanish football in 2015 but still managed to dictate and dominate play from the middle of the park in that El Clasico fixture.
Iniesta orchestrated most of Barcelona's goals on the night and topped it with a stunning goal for a 4-0 win. As he was taken off in the 77th minute, the home fans at Santiago Bernabeu rose to their feet and gave a memorable standing ovation to a loyal servant of Spanish football.
#3 Ronaldinho vs. Real Madrid
The 2005 Ballon d'Or winner is undoubtedly one of the greats of the game. Ronaldinho possibly played his best football during his five-year-long stay at Camp Nou, and what made it worse for the Real Madrid faithful was his exceptional performances against Los Blancos time and again. The home crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu is notoriously hard to please, but Ronaldinho pulled off the impossible.
The Brazilian produced one of the greatest one-man displays in modern football, scoring two stunning solo goals in the second half to secure a 3-0 win for Barcelona. Following his second goal of the night, the Real Madrid fans joined in with the Catalonians to give him a standing ovation.
#2 Ronaldo Nazario vs. Manchester United
Ronaldo Nazario is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. After Real Madrid handed a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at the Santiago Bernabeu in the 2003 Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson's men were looking to exact revenge in the home leg.
O Fenômeno scored a stunning hat-trick, and although Manchester United won the match 4-3, Real Madrid advanced 6-5 on aggregate on the back of the Brazilian's brilliance. The Old Trafford crowd held no grudges as they rightly acknowledged the magical display.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Juventus
The Manchester United man is one of the most successful players in Champions League history. One of his most spectacular performances in the tournament came against his former club Juventus in the 2017-18 edition.
In the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, the Italian champions had no answer to Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring prowess. The Portuguese superstar scored twice on the night to secure a 3-0 win for Los Blancos and a spot in the semi-finals.
His second goal was sensational. A cross into the box was met by Ronaldo's gravity-defying leap. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was flummoxed as the five-time Ballon d'Or winner produced an extraordinary bicycle kick to find the bottom left corner.
The home crowd at Allianz Stadium could only stand up and applaud the magnificent strike. Real Madrid went on to win their third Champions League title on the trot.
