sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Remembering Ronaldo's Incredible Old Trafford Performance That Earned A Standing Ovation

Remembering Ronaldo's Incredible Old Trafford Performance That Earned A Standing Ovation

The Real Madrid striker scored a hat-trick as his team lost in 90 minutes but went through in the Champions League in a classic match.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Ronaldo is a legend for so many reasons but one performance that sums up his brilliance best is the Champions League game against Manchester United that earned him a standing ovation from the opposition fans.

El Fenomeno most iconic moments may have come in a Brazil shirt but probably one of the best performances in his career came for Real Madrid.

The Spanish side faced Manchester United in the 2002/03 Champions League quarter final second leg at Old Trafford and Ronaldo was so good on the day that at the end of the game he received a standing ovation from the home crowd, despite his hat-trick knocking them out of the competition.

The highlights of the match remind us exactly how good he was on the night.

United earned their quarter final against Los Blancos after finishing top of their group in the Second Group stage of the European competition, finishing above Juventus after beating the Old Lady home and away.

The Spanish side finished second in their group to AC Milan but put themselves in a strong position in the first leg against Sir Alex Ferguson's side with a 3-1 win in the Bernabeu.

Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal in Madrid had given the Red Devils a chance going into the second leg but it took Ronaldo just 12 minutes to all but end their hopes.

Van Nistelrooy scored just before half time to give the hosts a chance but soon after half-time it was Ronaldo again who left United wondering how they'd stop him.

The Brazilian scored his second after 50 minutes and completed a marvellous hat-trick on 58 minutes to all but end United's hopes, even with Ivan Helguera's own goal in between.

David Beckham's introduction nearly changed the game, with the England winger bagging twice to give United the win on the night but going out thanks to Ronaldo's incredible performance.

The two men would be reunited only a few months later when the Englishman moved to Real for €37 million, following his falling out with Ferguson.

The pair recently caught up with each other on an Instagram Live with Ronaldo telling his former teammate he was one of the best of all time, "You were one the best of all time," the two time World Cup winner said.

"The way you touched the ball, the way you could put the ball wherever you wanted, without looking at me, I would just be moving and the ball came.

"I should thank you for the many balls you gave to me."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Brazilian football, Manchester United, South American football, Ronaldo, Premier League, Champions League, Brazil, Real Madrid, La Liga