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The gentleman's game

Barcelona Under-12s show serious sympathy towards crying rivals after defeat in touching video

The Catalan youngsters relayed words of encouragement to their emotional Omiya Ardija Junior opponents

BARCELONA'S Under-12s proved the age old saying that football really is a gentleman's game by showing some serious sympathy towards their crying rivals.

In footage of their latest encounter, the youngsters are seen commiserating with their teary Omiya Ardija Junior opponents after a match.

One player is particularly sympathetic as he seems to go up to nearly each player on the other team, give them a helpful pick-me-up slap in the face before finally relaying some words of encouragement.

In one instance, his words of wisdom seemed to do the trick as one opponent's tears dried up.

The Barca stars of the future made sure to shake hands with the opposition after the game before lining up and bowing all as one on the halfway line towards the crowd.

 Barcelona Under-12s soothe crying rivals after a defeat
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Barcelona Under-12s soothe crying rivals after a defeat

The under-12s' actions could show some of the senior players in world football a thing or two.

In June, Swedish footballer Adam Lindin Ljungkvist was slammed for his "unsportsmanlike behaviour" after farting so loudly during a game he got sent off.

What's more, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was less than sportsmanlike after his Portugal side drew 1-1 against Iceland at Euro 2016, blasting the team for having a "small mentality".

 Barca's opponents were left in tears after the match
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Barca's opponents were left in tears after the match

He said afterwards: "I thought they’d won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end. It was unbelievable. When they don’t try to play and just defend, defend, defend, this in my opinion shows a small mentality and they are not going to do anything in the competition."

Iceland - who have a population of around 330,000 - went on to reach the quarter-finals before being knocked out by France, who Ronaldo's Portugal went on to beat in the final.

 Cristiano Ronaldo said Iceland had a "small mentality" during Euro 2016
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Cristiano Ronaldo said Iceland had a "small mentality" during Euro 2016Credit: Reuters
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