Featured Image Credit: La Liga
Topics: Ronaldinho, Barcelona, Real Madrid, El Clasico
Jack Kenmare
It remains one of the most talked about moments in El Clasico history. The day Ronaldinho brought The Bernabeu to its feet.
On November 19, 2005, thousands of fans inside the Bernabeu applauded as a helpless Iker Casillas shrugged his shoulders, powerless to the genius of a Brazilian-born magician.
It was a rare glimpse of admiration from the often indignant Los Blancos support. Check out that memorable game below.
Ronaldinho's marvelous efforts just had to be appreciated from the masses. He was truly unplayable that night, ducking and weaving through players like never before.
The 25-year-old scored two superb individual goals as the Catalan giants romped to victory over their biggest rivals, and it all began on the hour mark, when the Barca man skipped past two challenges with ease and fired past Casillas.
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Los Blancos looked on helpless. In fact, they looked on in fear, trying to guess 'Dinho's next move.
They were right to be wary. Madrid's defence crumbled as Ronaldinho ran towards them.
In a similar turn of events, the Barcelona man took on two defenders on the left to slot home past. 3-0.
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It was a moment to cherish for everyone in attendance. Iconically, a moustached Real Madrid fan, who wore a scarf over his neck, stood up and started cheering what he just had witnessed.
Then, in a surprise move, everyone else joined in.
Samuel Eto'o may have put the visitors ahead just after 15 minutes but his performance dissolved into the unknown, perilous to the Ronaldinho show.
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Shortly after the game, Eto'o spoke to Barça TV and his reaction said it all.
"When Ronaldinho scored that goal when he got rid of everyone, even his teammates, I stood there in disbelief, looked to one side and muttered to myself: 'But, what is happening?' It was unbelievable." he said.
Ronaldinho went on to admit that he didn't even realise he was being applauded by the Real Madrid support:
"No, I didn't realise in the moment." he said. "I remembered when we arrived to the locker room and everybody was talking about it and I went to check it on the TV.
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"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."