Video footage has resurfaced of former Chelsea captain Frank Lampard saving Cristiano Ronaldo from a sending off during the Portuguese's first spell at Manchester United.
The two clubs were fierce rivals in the Premier League for the most-part of the noughties with the league title won for seven consecutive seasons by one of the two clubs between 2005 and 2011.
Lampard and Ronaldo were two of the division's highest quality players as their clubs fought for silverware. They even clashed in the 2008 Champions League final with both players scoring before the Red Devils' eventual victory on penalties.
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However, a meeting at Old Trafford between the two clubs in 2009, which United went on to win 3-0 en route to the Premier League title, saw a rare moment of sportsmanship between the two players.
Ronaldo was already on a yellow card when catching Lampard on the heel accidentally when going for the ball. This prompted referee Howard Webb to reach to his pocket for a second yellow before the Blues captain intervened and told the official not to take action.
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The video prompted fans online to offer praise for Chelsea's all-time goalscorer Lampard as well as highlight possible deficiencies in the game today.
@EricWynalda tweeted: "This is when the game had a bit more integrity."
@SujanAcharya007 tweeted: "Back then...when football was more than just sports and all about commercials.."
@lunaberryx tweeted: "I always loved lampard"
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@WestHamMatters tweeted: Had this been the other way around Ronaldo would still be rolling around in the floor now."
@cole__xy tweeted: "Lampard was pure class"
@Abdulrahmanleme tweeted: "Super Franky. They don’t make them like him again. Good at what he does and incredibly humble to a fault."
@hashirama_ayo tweeted: "A lot of current players... Chelsea players included, should, of course, see the example Lampard sets here."
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@Nishat7Ahmend tweeted: "The best time of football."
Since, Lampard went on to win another Premier League title as a Chelsea player in the 2009/10 season before spells at Manchester City and New York City FC. The 44-year-old is currently in his second spell as Blues boss on an interim basis having also managed Derby County and Everton.
As for Ronaldo, the 38-year-old eventually went on to join Real Madrid that summer but returned to Old Trafford in 2021 for a year-and-a-half-long second spell. The Portuguese has since joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr.
In fact Ronaldo started against Lampard's Everton last season as the Toffees beat United 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/TheLampardViewTopics: Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Manchester United, Premier League, Fan Reactions
