This is What Sportsmanship Looks Like

Following Brazil’s last-minute victory over Japan at the 2026 World Cup, this happened.

Hooray for Matheus Cunha and everybody like him.

Here are 20 other of the most memorable examples of sportsmanship in sporting history, where respect, honesty and compassion mattered more than winning.

1. Jesse Owens and Luz Long (1936)
   At the Berlin Olympics, German athlete Luz Long advised rival Jesse Owens on his long jump run-up after Owens had fouled twice. Owens qualified, won gold, and later described Long as a true friend despite the Nazi regime’s racist ideology.
2. Jack Nicklaus concedes a putt to Tony Jacklin (1969)
   In the Ryder Cup, Nicklaus famously conceded Jacklin’s final putt to ensure the competition ended in a tie rather than risking a miss.
3. Paolo Di Canio stops play (2000)
   Playing for West Ham United F.C. against Everton F.C., Di Canio caught the ball instead of scoring because Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was injured.
4. Nikki Hamblin and Abbey D’Agostino (2016)
   After colliding during the women’s 5,000 metres at the 2016 Summer Olympics, each athlete helped the other to finish the race.
5. Ivan Fernandez helps Abel Mutai (2012)
   Fernandez refused to pass Mutai, who mistakenly stopped before the finish line, instead encouraging him to cross first as the rightful winner.
6. Franz Beckenbauer comforts Berti Vogts and opponents throughout his career
   Beckenbauer became known for treating opponents with respect and often checking on injured players.
7. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (2017)
   Their emotional joint trophy presentation after the 2017 Australian Open symbolised one of sport’s greatest rivalries built on mutual respect.
8. Miroslav Klose admits handball (2012)
   Klose told the referee he had handled the ball before scoring for S.S. Lazio, leading to the goal being disallowed.
9. Sara Tucholsky is carried around the bases (2008)
   Opponents from Central Washington University carried the injured player after she hit a home run but could not complete her run.
10. Brian Lara recalls Muttiah Muralitharan (2001)
    Lara withdrew an appeal after Muralitharan wandered from his crease believing the over had ended.
11. Michael Jordan praises opponents throughout his career
    Jordan was renowned for acknowledging outstanding performances by rivals, even in defeat.
12. Kim Clijsters invites a fan to serve (2010)
    After a spectator jokingly claimed he could return a serve, Clijsters invited him onto court, delighting the crowd.
13. Eugenie Bouchard honours a Super Bowl bet (2017)
    Following a social media wager, Bouchard kept her promise to attend a date with a fan after losing the bet.
14. John Landy waits for rival (1956)
    During a race, Landy stopped to help the fallen Ron Clarke before continuing and still winning.
15. Virat Kohli applauds Steve Smith (2019)
    Kohli urged Indian fans to stop booing Smith during the 2019 Cricket World Cup and instead applaud him.
16. Cathy Freeman and Lorraine Graham (2000)
    Graham warmly congratulated Freeman after her iconic Olympic victory despite missing out on gold herself.
17. Joe Root consistently recalls batters fairly
    Root has often withdrawn appeals or acknowledged when batsmen were not out, reinforcing cricket’s “Spirit of Cricket.”
18. Andrés Iniesta applauded by rivals (2018)
    When leaving the pitch for the final time in Spanish football, Iniesta received standing ovations from opposition supporters in recognition of his conduct and humility.
19. Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher
    Their intense Formula One rivalry was marked by mutual respect, with both repeatedly praising one another after races.
20. Didier Drogba appeals for peace (2005)
    After helping Ivory Coast national football team qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Drogba used the moment to call for an end to civil conflict in his country, demonstrating leadership beyond sport.

These moments and many others are remembered because they show that integrity, empathy and respect can leave a greater legacy than medals or trophies. Many are still used as examples to teach young athletes that true greatness includes how you treat your opponents as well as how you perform.