Liquid Football - A Slicker Football Blog

Top 10 Greatest Debuts in Football

New Celtic winger Barry Robson scored a fine free-kick at the weekend on his debut for the Glasgow side, made all the more remarkable by the fact it was literally his first touch of the ball.

There have been a few other memorable debuts of late, Such as Defoe scoring in his first game with Pompey, Benjani leading Man City to a famous win in the Manchester derby, and Rolando Bianchi getting sent off within 5 minutes of his return to Lazio.

So what other introductions around the football world have managed to catch the eye? We've had a quick ruffle through our encyclopedias, newspapers and googles to come up with this top 10 list for your perusal (click the links to check out video highlights):

10. Alan Shearer, Southampton vs Arsenal, 9th April 1988

This would have been higher on the list if it was Shearer's actual debut, and not just his first full debut (he came on as a substitute against Chelsea 2 weeks earlier). Just 17 years old, he repaid Saints manager Chris Nicholl's faith by scoring a hat-trick against the Gunners. This feat broke the record for the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the English top-flight, one previously held by a certain Jimmy Greaves.

9. Hans Gillhaus, Aberdeen vs Dunfermline, 19th November 1989

The Dutch striker cost the Dons £650,000 when he joined in 1989, and was soon to be selected for the Holland 1990 World Cup squad. It took him just 12 minutes to score his first goal for Aberdeen with a spectacular overhead kick, and all but 2 minutes later grabbed his second, this time with a more traditional header. He's now living life as the Chief Scout for Chelsea.

8. Michael Mols, Rangers vs FC Haka, 28th July 1999

In this Champions League qualifying leg, the Dutchman from Utrecht simply stole the show in a 4-1 victory. Not only did he score 2, but managed to run the game by dropping back to link up with play from the midfield. £4 million was a steal for the talent that Mols was, but one serious knee injury later, and the striker was never quite the same player ever again.

7. Fabrizio Ravanelli, Middlesbrough vs Liverpool, 17th August 1996

The White Feather is one of the few players to make a huge impact on his debut, but still not be able guide his side to victory. Despite an excellent hat-trick against Liverpool, Middlesbrough were only able to manage a 3-3 draw with the Merseyside club. Unfortunately, the Premier League's top wage earner was unable to score enough goals in the remainder of the season to prevent relegation.

6. Alexandre Pato, AC Milan vs Napoli, 13th January 2008

In football, significance of the event is sometimes as important as the event itself. This was true in the case of Pato's debut last month for AC Milan in Serie A. Due to the Rossoneri paying £15 million for an unproven 17-year-old, one that potentially could become the greatest player on the planet, there was huge hype and build-up leading to his first start. But did he justify it. A lively, buzzing performance, full of tricks and performance, was rounded off with a cooly taken goal in a 5-2 victory.

5. Alvaro Recoba, Inter Milan vs Brescia, 31st August 1997

When you're making your first appearance for a club alongside a certain Ronaldo, it's going to take something special to create an impression. So which would you choose? A stunning 30 yard equaliser into the top corner, or a last-gasp free-kick to win your team the game? In Alvaro Recoba's case, he chose both, scoring 2 superb goals to give Inter a 2-1 win over Brescia en route to 2nd in Serie A. Ronaldo didn't even have a sniff.

4. Zinedine Zidane, France vs Czech Republic, 17th August 1994

If Zidane's international career ended with a bang, then it began with a cataclysmic explosion. Trailing 2-0 in a friendly with the newly formed Czech Republic, a relatively unknown, lanky midfielder takes to the field intent on turning the match around. Beating 3 defenders before lashing the ball home from 25 yards was a good start, and his bullet header to equalise wasn't a bad finish either. This was one of Zidane's best ever performances for his national team, heralding in a new era for the greatest player of our generation.

3. Tony Cottee, West Ham vs Spurs, 1st January 1983 / Everton vs Newcastle, 27th August 1988

3rd on our list is man who had 2 memorable introductions, nevermind just the one. Aged just 17, a sprightly young Cottee stuck one past West Ham's London rivals in a 1-0 victory. After smashing the British transfer record fee with a £2.3 million move to Everton 5 years later, he was up to his old debuting tricks again, bagging a hat-trick as Newcastle were demolished 4-0 on the opening day of the 88/89 season.

2. Jimmy Greaves, Various vs Various, Several dates

Goalscoring legend Greaves must have laughed in the face of defences and pressure whenever he played his first game for a new club. Not content with scoring on just one of his debuts, he decided to do it 6 times (incidentally the same amount of times he scored a hat-trick for England and finished top-scorer over a season). The teams included Chelsea, AC Milan, Spurs and West Ham, as well as the England U21 and Senior sides.

1. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United vs Fenerbahce, 28th September 2004

Coming off the back of an impressive Euro 2004, everyone was waiting to see how Wayne Rooney would fare in his 1st game for Manchester United since his £31 million signing a month earlier. Against Fenerbahce in the Champions League with a packed Old Trafford looking on, the young striker was about to be thrown into the footballing deep end. But instead of sinking, he delivered one of the greatest debut performances you are ever likely to see.

He got his 1st goal after 17 minutes when he coolly slipped the ball over Rustu in goal following Van Nistelrooy's through ball. His second came soon after, when he dummied a shot to go past one defender, before rifling the ball home from 20 yards out. Rooney completed his hat-trick 9 minutes into the second half with a sublime free-kick that gave the 'keeper no chance.

To score a hat-trick is one thing. To score a hat-trick on your debut in the Champions League with the whole world watching, is something special.

Honorable Mention - Jonathan Woodgate, Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao, 22nd September 2005

Of course, you don't have to perform well in order to have a memorable debut. Take poor old Johnny Woodgate for example. After being out injured for an entire season, he finally had his chance to show the Bernabeu his defensive skills against Athletic Bilbao. Instead he proceeded to score a diving header into his own net, and then get sent off for picking up 2 yellow cards. This performance may have contributed somewhat to Woodgate being voted the Worst Signing of the 21st Century by Marca.com.

Do you agree with this list? Who would have been your Number One? Have I missed anyone out? I'd like to hear your comments below.

Categories