Frank Lampard saved Cristiano Ronaldo in ultimate moment of sportsmanship

Nostalgia makes us yearn for the days of football when everything felt better. Boring tactical stalemates, play-acting, narcissism – the things which make your dad shout ‘not in my day’ at the telly – are growing evermore prevalent. This famous moment has been doing the rounds on social mediaSky Sports For those who remember the days of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, the game isn’t just gone, it left a long time ago and now has a new wife and kids. Nothing sums that up better than this historic exchange between Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo. Back in 2009, when the two English giants were alongside Barcelona as the greatest teams in Europe, the Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Blues at Old Trafford during a top-flight meeting. But their victory was almost jeopardised by a reckless, studs-up challenge from Ronaldo on Lampard. Already on a yellow card, the Portuguese forward lunged at the England midfielder’s ankle in a tackle that would’ve been shown a straight red card in 2025 without a moment’s hesitation – especially when slowed down on VAR. Lampard, no doubt, knew he could get Ronaldo sent off if he pretended the contact hurt more than it actually did. But the Blues icon refused to play dirty and roll around, immediately accepting his opponent’s apology. Lampard even joked to the referee that he should show Ronaldo a second yellow, much to the forward’s brief dismay, before the midfielder reassured everyone that he was only messing around. With 18 minutes left and facing a two-goal deficit, Chelsea would have fancied their chances against ten men – and perhaps Ronaldo’s challenge warranted a red card regardless of Lampard’s actions. But while nobody remembers the Blues losing at Old Trafford that day, Lampard’s remarkable act of sportsmanship still trends on social media whenever Chelsea come up against the Red Devils. Lampard’s reaction is something you don’t see anymoreGetty View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHEMUN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Now a manager at Coventry, his side recently suffered play-off heartbreak, as Sunderland scored a last-minute winner in the semi-final second-leg. Chelsea’s season is still very much alive – and they host a Man United side whose thoughts are elsewhere on Friday night. The Blues know victory in their final two games of the season will guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League. Enzo Maresca’s side are currently fifth, which is enough for a seat at Europe’s top table this season – and boast a significantly superior goal difference to Aston Villa in sixth. United can also qualify for the Champions League, but not via the Premier League. They are 16th in the table after a truly shocking season, having failed to win any of their last six domestic games. Chelsea and Man United can still salvage their 2024/25 campaigns However, they have reached the Europa League final, where they face fellow top-flight strugglers Tottenham, and victory will secure a place in next season’s Champions League. It means Ruben Amorim is unlikely to field a full-strength side, although Chelsea will also be weakened following an untimely red card for their only fit senior striker – Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea vs Man United is live on talkSPORT – kick off at 8.15pm on Friday night.

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Frank Lampard saved Cristiano Ronaldo in ultimate moment of sportsmanship

Nostalgia makes us yearn for the days of football when everything felt better.

Boring tactical stalemates, play-acting, narcissism – the things which make your dad shout ‘not in my day’ at the telly – are growing evermore prevalent.

This famous moment has been doing the rounds on social media

For those who remember the days of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, the game isn’t just gone, it left a long time ago and now has a new wife and kids.

Nothing sums that up better than this historic exchange between Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo.

Back in 2009, when the two English giants were alongside Barcelona as the greatest teams in Europe, the Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Blues at Old Trafford during a top-flight meeting.

But their victory was almost jeopardised by a reckless, studs-up challenge from Ronaldo on Lampard.

Already on a yellow card, the Portuguese forward lunged at the England midfielder’s ankle in a tackle that would’ve been shown a straight red card in 2025 without a moment’s hesitation – especially when slowed down on VAR.

Lampard, no doubt, knew he could get Ronaldo sent off if he pretended the contact hurt more than it actually did.

But the Blues icon refused to play dirty and roll around, immediately accepting his opponent’s apology.

Lampard even joked to the referee that he should show Ronaldo a second yellow, much to the forward’s brief dismay, before the midfielder reassured everyone that he was only messing around.

With 18 minutes left and facing a two-goal deficit, Chelsea would have fancied their chances against ten men – and perhaps Ronaldo’s challenge warranted a red card regardless of Lampard’s actions.

But while nobody remembers the Blues losing at Old Trafford that day, Lampard’s remarkable act of sportsmanship still trends on social media whenever Chelsea come up against the Red Devils.

Lampard’s reaction is something you don’t see anymore

View Tweet: https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHEMUN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Now a manager at Coventry, his side recently suffered play-off heartbreak, as Sunderland scored a last-minute winner in the semi-final second-leg.

Chelsea’s season is still very much alive – and they host a Man United side whose thoughts are elsewhere on Friday night.

The Blues know victory in their final two games of the season will guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.

Enzo Maresca’s side are currently fifth, which is enough for a seat at Europe’s top table this season – and boast a significantly superior goal difference to Aston Villa in sixth.

United can also qualify for the Champions League, but not via the Premier League.

They are 16th in the table after a truly shocking season, having failed to win any of their last six domestic games.

Chelsea and Man United can still salvage their 2024/25 campaigns

However, they have reached the Europa League final, where they face fellow top-flight strugglers Tottenham, and victory will secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

It means Ruben Amorim is unlikely to field a full-strength side, although Chelsea will also be weakened following an untimely red card for their only fit senior striker – Nicolas Jackson.

Chelsea vs Man United is live on talkSPORT – kick off at 8.15pm on Friday night.