Lionel Messi's show-stealing performance left the Real Betis fans in complete awe after they started to applaud and chant his name during the match on Sunday.
Yes, the Barcelona captain once again put on a mesmerising display against the opposition, but that didn't mean the supporters in the Benito Villamarín didn't -- and wouldn't -- pay their respect at another masterclass from the Argentine ace.
One footage that has surfaced online shows Béticos fans giving the 31-year-old forward a massive round of applause inside the stadium, while another clip can clearly hear them chanting "Messi, Messi, Messi!"
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Check it out below.
Now that's what football is all about. Take a bow, Messi!
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Unsurprisingly, fans have a lot of respect for the Villamarín faithful, despite seeing their side getting thrashed 4-1 at the hands of Barça.
"That's why the [Real Betis] fanatics are so deeply beautiful. Passion. Respect. Love for the game. And above all, humility. Humility with talent is unstoppable," one Twitter user wrote (via a rough translation).
Another said: "Rivals on the court, giants in the stands. My respect and admiration for the fans of [Real Betis]. The true essence of football."
A third said: "Fortunate to have witnessed this work of art [Messi], one day they will be able to tell generations: I was there and I saw that hero's prowess and greatness. Public knowledgeable and admirable."
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A fourth added: "That's something that 'other players' will never experience, no matter how good they are, too. The supreme quality of Messi, and above all his humility, is something that others do not have."
The reception was so humbling that even the five-time Ballon d'Or winner spoke about it after the match.
"I don't ever remember a night like this [being applauded by rival supporters]," he told Movistar.
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"I'm really grateful for the way the fans responded. I honestly don't remember an ovation like that [from rival fans]."
Messi opened the scoring in the match after firing home a beautiful 20-yard free-kick, which he followed up by completing a first-half brace.
Luis Suárez added his name to the scoresheet with a superb solo effort, but Loren Morón was able to pull one back for his side.
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However, Messi returned to round off his fantastic performance with a perfectly executed chip past Pau López.
Ernesto Valverde's men are at the top of La Liga after 28 matches, holding a ten-point lead over second-place Atlético Madrid and 12 points ahead of third-place Real Madrid.
Will Messi inspire the reigning La Liga champions to the Champions League crown this season?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: GoalTopics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ernesto Valverde, La Liga
