5 Worst Debuts in Football History (Video)

When players join a new club, every player likes to make a good first impression. A player’s debut can be vital for their future because if it goes badly they can be ridiculed for the remainder of their time at a club. Let’s look at five shocking debuts in the recent history of football.

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – AC Milan (2010)

Ibrahimovic has had an eventful decade, winning titles with six different clubs but his debut for AC Milan in 2010 was one to forget. The Rossoneri lost 2-0 to newly promoted Cesena with Ibra smashing a late penalty against the post.

4. Henrik Larsson – Celtic (1997)

Larsson’s Celtic career is remembered for his remarkable goal scoring exploits but his debut could not have gone any worse. Brought on in the second half against Hibernian at Easter Road, with the score at 1-1, Larsson inadvertently set-up Hibs’s veteran midfielder Chic Charnley, who powered a 25 yard strike past Gordon Marshall to win Hibs the match.

3. Wayne Bridge –  (2011)

Bridge signed for West Ham to play in their problem left back spot in 2011. His debut was dreadful as he was at fault for all three of Arsenal’s goal in a 3-0 loss for the Hammers.

2. Chris Iwelumo – Scotland (2008)

THAT MISS. Scotland were drawing 0-0 at home to Norway in a vital World Cup qualifier at Hampden. Chris Iwelumo came on for his international debut to try and break the deadlock for the Scots and could not have had a better chance to score as he received a Gary Naysmith pass just two yards out with the keeper nowhere to be seen, but to his dismay he blazed it wide. A shocking moment.

1. Jonathan Woodgate – Real Madrid (2005)

What can you say about Woodgate’s debut for Real Madrid? He scored a calamitous own goal and was sent off for two yellow cards. To add insult to injury, Madrid won the match against Athletic Bilbao anyway. He never really recovered from his shocking debut and was signed by Middlesbrough a year later.

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