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18 Worst Debuts in Football History (Ranked)

3 months ago
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by talk2soccer


There are many different types of football debuts, aren’t they? While scoring the game-winning goal and winning Player of the Match is the ultimate goal, some things simply don’t work out as planned. Nobody wants to get off to a bad start, whether it’s in the Premier League or somewhere else.



Some players, regrettably, aren’t fortunate enough to have an immediate good influence. Whether this is an indication of things to come or merely an isolated anomaly in what eventually turned out to be a strong tenure at their club,


Dele Alli’s dismal Como start against AC Milan in March 2025 is undoubtedly a serious contender for the worst football debut ever. After ten minutes, the former England player was sent out, which infuriated his manager, Cesc Fabregas. The fact that there have been ten worse debuts over the years, though, may surprise you.



The 18 Worst Football Debuts Ever (Ranked)


Rank



The player


Complement

The year

One

Ali Dia

Leeds United versus Southampton

1996

2.

Woodgate, Jonathan

Comparing Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao

2005

3.

Rulander, Hermann

Dortmund vs. Frankfurt

1981

4.

Chris Smalling

Al Raed against. Al-Fayha FC

2024

5.

Repka, Tomas

Manchester United vs. West Ham United

2001

6.

Lionel Messi

Argentina versus Hungary

2005

7.

Milton Stanley

Stockport County versus Halifax Town

1934

8.

Clarke, Harry

Brighton vs. Ipswich Town

2024

9.

Keeley, Glenn

Arsenal vs. Everton

1982

10.

Crowe, Jason

Birmingham City versus Arsenal

1997

11.

Alli Dele

Como vs. AC Milan, 1907

2025

Twelve

Marcos Antonio

FC Nurnberg vs Stuttgart

2012

13.

Gervinho

Arsenal vs Newcastle United

2011

14

Emmanuel Frimpong

Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday

2014

15.

Abdukodir Khusanov

Manchester City vs Chelsea

2025

16

Warren Barton

England vs Republic of Ireland

1995

17

Garry Flitcroft

Blackburn Rovers vs Everton

1996

18

Saul Niguez

Chelsea vs Aston Villa

2021

18Saul Niguez – Chelsea

vs Aston Villa (2021)

It’s a debutant’s worst nightmare to get hooked at halftime, yet that’s what happened to Saul Niguez. Despite playing second or third fiddle under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid, the Spain international was one of the top midfield players in Europe when he joined Chelsea. Aston Villa was the opponent for Niguez’s Premier League debut, but players like John McGinn provided him a solid introduction to England by essentially running rings around him.

He only won four more league games after his Hall of Shame debut because of his poor performance overall and two careless passes that nearly allowed Ollie Watkins to cause harm. Luckily, he wasn’t considered one of the team’s worst transfers ever because he was only on loan at Stamford Bridge.

17Garry Flitcroft – Blackburn Rovers

vs Everton (1996)

Although his time at Blackburn Rovers began on a negative one, it ended on a positive one as he made over 250 games and was elected club captain. Garry Flitcroft was shown it shortly after he became enraged, and it only took three minutes, which is the average time of some of your favourite songs.

Flitty’s flung elbow was directed at Duncan Ferguson, the infamous hard man from Everton, of all people. Although his teammates acknowledged that it was uncharacteristic, rules are rules, and a moment of insanity marred what should normally be a day to remember.

16Warren Barton – England

vs Republic of Ireland (1995)

Warren Barton made an attempt to establish himself during an England “friendly” against the Republic of Ireland, the first international appearance on the list. Just 27 minutes into the game, the referee decided it was too risky to continue when so-called fans launched missiles onto the field.

Even though it wasn’t his fault, his 20 family members who travelled to Dublin to see their pride and joy fulfil their ambition would have been devastated, especially because he only played twice more for his nation and his chances of qualifying for Euro 96 also failed.

15Abdukodir Khusanov – Manchester City

vs Chelsea (2025)

Abdukodir Khusanov, the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League, was under pressure after being thrown into the deep end against Chelsea. The January addition’s start to the match wasn’t great, as the 20-year-old was duped by a looping ball three minutes into the match.

With Nicolas Jackson right behind him, the young player attempted to nod the ball back to Ederson, but his attempt was unsuccessful. The Senegal international then intercepted it and sent it across goal to an unmarked Noni Madueke. A short while later, Khusanov’s under-hit throw put pressure on his team, forcing him to slip in and then catch Cole Palmer. At 54 minutes, he was hooked and given a yellow card.

14Emmanuel Frimpong – Barnsley

vs Sheffield Wednesday (2014)

Any football player who moves from Arsenal to Barnsley will undoubtedly act badly on their debut, and it’s easy to assume that Emmanuel Frimpong was not impressed by the January 2014 deal. On both occasions, the Ghanaian targeted the same player and was given a yellow card, which caused him to leave the pitch.

However, Frimpong was sent off on his Premier League debut for the Gunners after receiving two yellow cards, suggesting that he had a talent for doing this. You could say that old habits die hard.

13Gervinho – Arsenal

vs Newcastle United (2011)

Given that the Ivorian had a rough start to competitive life in north London, it is clear that Gervinho’s two goals in the first fifteen minutes of his non-competitive debut are not remembered. After a confrontation with Joey Barton, a player who enjoyed a good fight, his Premier League career came to an end. His final act on his debut was a violent outburst that earned him a red card and a three-match suspension.

However, he played 63 games and scored 11 goals over his two years with the north London team before joining AS Roma in 2013. Overall, he recovered from a difficult beginning.

12Marcos Antonio – FC Nurnberg

vs Stuttgart (2012)

Although Marcos Antonio’s first game wearing an FC Nurnberg shirt was almost over, his Bundesliga debut is the story of the year. The opposition’s Vedad Ibisevic started the scoring with a goal after the centre-back missed a pass within the first 30 seconds of the match against Stuttgart.

It’s amazing that the defender did the same dubious thing a few minutes later, but this time there was no goal. Even yet, after only sixteen minutes, it was sufficient to get him hooked. He never participated in another league match for the team. Well, at least he wasn’t sent off.

11Dele Alli – Como 1907

vs AC Milan (2025)

When Dele Alli made his debut for Cesc Fabregas’ Como 1907 against AC Milan, English football fans would have been thrilled to see him play professionally again after a two-year hiatus. Neutrals were cheering for the midfielder as he tried to regain the form that had made him England’s most exciting player because he had been so candid about his tragic rise to the top and his quick fall from grace.

To try to produce an equalising goal for his team, he was granted the chance to make a comeback at the San Siro, of all places. Instead, he was sent out for a challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, making his 10-minute cameo the least exciting conceivable. Following the match, Alli received harsh criticism from his boss, who implied that he wasn’t even deserving of the chance to play. No one wants to make a bad first impression.

10Jason Crowe – Arsenal

vs Birmingham City (1997)

Given that Lee Dixon was Arsenal’s best option, Jason Crowe took his time making his debut, so he had to make an impression when the time came. He made his impression by coming off the bench and playing for just 33 seconds—yes, you read correctly—before being sent off for an unnecessary challenge on Martin O’Conner.

After the incident, he was given very little opportunities at Arsenal, and it was the fastest dismissal in English football history. Crowe stayed with the Gunners for a few years before eventually joining Portsmouth in 2000, but he never played a league game for them.

9Glenn Keeley – Everton

vs Liverpool (1982)

His employers, Blackburn Rovers, saw a loan term on Merseyside as a method to further his career, but 33 minutes into his stay, any hope of a permanent signing was gone. Everton’s meeting against their local rivals, Liverpool, could not have been a more high-stakes match for his debut. After getting into a fight with Kenny Dalglish, the centre-back was sent off.

He never played for the Toffees again after the event. In the end, he went back to Blackburn and stayed there for five more years before joining Oldham Athletic in 1987.

8Harry Clarke – Ipswich Town

vs Brentford (2024)

On October 26, 2024, Harry Clarke made his Premier League debut for Ipswich Town, the team he grew up with. The Tractor Boys, who were still seeking their first victory, were ahead 2-0 at Brentford after just thirty-one minutes of their eighth game of the season. However, Yoane Wissa and Clarke regrettably scored an own goal to square the score as the Bees rallied before halftime.

For fouling Keane Lewis-Potter in the box four minutes after the half, the left-back was booked and handed away a penalty. Thomas Frank’s team took the lead for the first time during the match when Bryan Mbuemo scored the penalty. To top off a terrible Premier League debut, Clarke committed another foul in the 69th minute and was given a second yellow card by the referee. Ipswich’s wait for their first victory was prolonged as they lost the game 4-3. Kieran McKenna commented on Clarke’s performance:

We will provide him with a lot of support because it’s his Premier League debut and he hasn’t started a game since April.

“He did some good things in the game, and his performance was good, but there were a few defensive moments, of course, that he would have liked to improve on and he will be disappointed with.”

7Stanley Milton – Halifax Town

vs Stockport County (1934)

Stanley Milton, who started his career with Halifax Town in 1934, has the oldest debut on this list. When he faced Stockport County, things rapidly took a turn for the worst. Milton scored two goals in the first half, but it was only the beginning of an incredible day. However, his debut has been dubbed one of the worst in history due to the 11 goals he gave up in the second half.

And it’s simple to see why! One of those that, ninety years later, is still notorious and remembered in football mythology. That alone is quite astounding.

6Lionel Messi – Argentina

vs Hungary (2005)

The Argentine magician remarked, “It wasn’t how I had hoped.” He would also be correct. It’s easy to forget how awful Lionel Messi’s debut was, especially since his accomplishments with his country have made him Argentina’s greatest player of all time. After barely 40 seconds of playing time against Hungary, the forward was sent off the bench.

The 18-year-old substitute, who is now considered a legend of the game, was sent off for allegedly elbowing Vilmos Vanczak of Hungary. It appears that even the best people can have a terrible day at work. With everything he’s done for his nation since, including winning the 2022 World Cup, he’s more than made up for it.

5Tomas Repka – West Ham United

vs Middlesbrough (2001)

Some athletes are simply more susceptible to making a roaring debut because of the way they approach the game. And one of those instances is Tomas Repka’s reputation of being aggressive and careless. After receiving two yellow cards, the Czech defender, who paid West Ham United a then-club record £5.5 million, ended the memorable occasion by going out in embarrassment after making his league debut against Middlesbrough.

You would think that he would use his return to the field as a chance to wrap up his horror show debut. Repka, however, was sent off again in his third game for the Hammers. Nevertheless, he played for the Hammers for five years and had a great career there.

4Chris Smalling – Al-Fayha FC

vs Al Raed (2024)

After a sad conclusion to his stint at Manchester United, Chris Smalling had regained his reputation after spending three solid years with AS Roma. If his Saudi Arabian debut is any indication of how his time there will unfold, all that good might be ruined rather quickly.

In September of 2024, the centre-back made his debut against Al Raed after joining Al-Fayha FC. The defender was issued a red card in the second half as his new team was smashed 5-0 after scoring an own goal just six minutes into the game. Not a good beginning at all.

3Hermann Rulander – Werder Bremen

vs Frankfurt (1981)

Imagine yourself as Hermann Rulander. You are a 21-year-old goalie making your debut since Dieter Burdenski, Werder Bremen’s first choice, suffered an injury. The concept? Give up as few objectives as you can.

He gave up a grand total of seven in Rulander’s case. The manager had had enough and the day he had been looking forward to was cut short since one of these was an own goal. It’s also most likely for the best.

“I need more experience and time.” “Perhaps next time,” Rulander said. Well, a “next time” never came. After making his famous (for all the wrong reasons) debut, he was instructed not to return a cheque for 50,000 Deutschmarks, which was around £11,000 at the time and £37,000 today.

2Jonathan Woodgate – Real Madrid

vs Athletic Bilbao (2005)

Jonathan, oh. Moving from Middlesbrough to Real Madrid may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime transfer, but Woodgate was given the opportunity, and well, you know the rest. His debut for the European powerhouses was postponed for 17 months due to injury issues, but Woodgate made sure he didn’t let anyone down when his opportunity finally arrived.

After 66 minutes of feared playing time, the Englishman was given an early shower after a hilarious own goal and two bookable infractions. He was named the worst signing of the twenty-first century by the well-known Spanish journal Marca. It really was that awful. Prior to being traded to Middlesbrough, he made just 14 appearances for the team overall.

1Ali Dia – Southampton

vs Leeds United (1996)

Matt Le Tissier called Ali Dia’s first and last game for the south coast team “very embarrassing to watch.” Dia is arguably the worst liar in football. According to Graeme Souness, Dia is related to George Weah, who was playing brilliantly for PSG at the time. Rather, he was a college student who had never played professional football.

When he replaced Le Tissier, the former Scottish manager plunged him in the deep end without running a background check, but it took him 21 minutes to get hooked. He probably never played for the team again.

 

 



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