Only Four Barcelona Players Have Received Standing Ovation From Real Madrid Fans
Barcelona travel to Madrid on Sunday for the first El Clasico of the season, as they look to leapfrog their arch-rivals at the top of La Liga.
Xabi Alonso's side currently lead the Spanish league with 24 points, holding a two-point lead over Hansi Flick's reigning champions.
Barcelona, who destroyed Olympiacos 6-1 in midweek, will be without Raphinha for the clash, but Lamine Yamal is available.
The 18-year-old Spanish star is one of only four Barcelona players to have ever received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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However, Yamal's did not come in club colours, but instead while he was representing Spain in an international friendly against Brazil in March last year.
Yamal did not get on the scoresheet that night, but his performance at just 16 years old drew applause from those inside the Bernabeu.
He went on to play an instrumental in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, as he was named the tournament's best young player.
In being applauded by the Madrid faithful, Yamal joined elite company with Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta as the only others players to receive that rare privilege.
Back in 1983 during a Spanish league cup match, Maradona scored a fantastic goal where he rounded the keeper, before he dribbled past a sliding defender over the line.
The Argentinian's brilliance prompted sections of the Madrid home crowd to rise to their feet and applaud.
More than 20 years later, in 2005, another Barcelona player received the same treatment.
Ronaldinho scored twice in an outstanding performance as the Catalans defeated Madrid 3-0.
The Brazilian winger scored one sublime goal, in which he rode two challenges before he smashed an effort beyond Iker Casillas.
Madrid supporters applauded that goal, but Ronaldinho did not realise that at the time.
He later said: "No, I didn't realise in the moment.
"I remembered when we arrived to the locker room and everybody was talking about it and I went to check it on the TV.
"Because of the joy of scoring and the celebration, I didn't notice the standing ovation. It's special. Only a few players have had this joy of being acclaimed by the fans of your arch rivals in a derby."
Andres Iniesta was applauded by the Madrid fans in November 2015.
The Spaniard ran the game from midfield, assisting Neymar and scoring himself as Barcelona won 4-0 at the home of their great rivals.
When he was substituted after 77 minutes, the Bernabeu rose to applaud him, which Iniesta said he was 'grateful' for.
Topics: El Clasico, Real Madrid, La Liga, Lamine Yamal, Football, FC Barcelona
James Taylor