Ronaldinho, Jose Mourinho, Thierry Henry and now Ralph Hasenhuttl - the football figures blown away by Portsmouth's Fratton Park atmosphere

Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed the Fratton Park atmosphere as the 'best he's experienced in a stadium' after the south-coast derby on Tuesday.
Thierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton ParkThierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton Park
Thierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton Park

But it should come as no surprise to the Pompey faithful that the Southampton boss highlighted the noise created at PO4 for the Carabao Cup clash.

Some of the game’s greats have already pinpointed the volume levels generated by Blues supporters after being involved in fixtures at Fratton Park.

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Legendary French striker Thierry Henry, ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, and World Cup winner Ronaldinho are just a few of the footballing stars to have praised the Pompey faithful prior to Hasenhuttl's ringing endorsement.

When the Blues welcomed Italian giants AC Milan to PO4 for a Europa League fixture back in 2008, the travelling contingent and players alike were blown away by the atmosphere.

Pompey wasted a two-goal lead that evening, drawing 2-2 in the end, yet Brazilian legend Ronaldinho simply described the experience under the lights at Fratton on that occasion as 'one of the best atmospheres in world football'.

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Speaking to Sky Sports back in 2018, he said: 'It's not Portsmouth.

Thierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton ParkThierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton Park
Thierry Henry in a Pompey shirt at Fratton Park

‘I remember Portsmouth - such a small stadium, the atmosphere was absolutely incredible.

'In here, the atmosphere is a bit quiet and there is not very (much enthusiasm). But the players like to play at home.'

Legendary French striker Henry endeared himself to the Fratton faithful by wearing a Pompey shirt following a 5-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory for Arsenal back in 2004.

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He netted twice that day to send the Blues crashing out of the competition.

Ronaldinho applauds the Pompey faithful after AC Milan's Europa League clash at Fratton Park back in 2008Ronaldinho applauds the Pompey faithful after AC Milan's Europa League clash at Fratton Park back in 2008
Ronaldinho applauds the Pompey faithful after AC Milan's Europa League clash at Fratton Park back in 2008

Yet Pompey supporters remained after the full-time whistle to applaud Henry for a masterful showing that day.

That memory is something that remained with the French World Cup winner.

He told The Guardian in 2004: ‘It was amazing when we played at Portsmouth.

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'They (the Portsmouth supporters) were singing my name for the last 25 minutes of the game, something I've never had in my whole life, and it was as if we were at Highbury.

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Ralph Hasenhüttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Ralph Hasenhüttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Ralph Hasenhüttl, Manager of Southampton looks on during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park on September 24, 2019 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

‘That's why I love the game in England - the people are so passionate.’

Despite managing Pompey’s arch-rivals Southampton, Hassenhutl was the latest to highlight the atmosphere created at Fratton Park.

He said: 'It’s unbelievable. I must also say they didn’t stop singing after being four down.

'You could feel the tradition that is in this derby.

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‘I think I have never had such an atmosphere in a stadium so far and I have seen a lot in my entire footballing career.

‘It was a very special game for me also.

‘I was hoping it is coming in a way that you can also celebrate the football and if you see such a game here then you know why football is so popular in England.'

It’s fine list of praise from some of the greats to have graced the game down the years.

But these leading football figures will surely not be the last to credit the atmosphere created inside Fratton Park.

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