In the world of football where everything is driven by passion and excitement, the debut of a player is what decides their future. Throughout the history of the sport, from stunning goals to record-breaking performances, there have been a number of remarkable debuts that left the fans hanging on the edge of their seat.
These debuts are not just iconic moments, but a source of inspiration for young fans who strive to have a career in the sport. So let’s look at the top 4 greatest debuts in football history that ignited a passion in the hearts of its audience.
Alvaro Recoba
Alvaro Recoba popularly known as “El Chino” because of his Asian appearance, made a memorable debut for Inter Milan on the same day Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut in 1997. His debut is considered one of the best in Serie A in the last 25 years as he scored two stunning goals and a free-kick securing his team a victory.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also rated Recoba an 8 for his 20-minute performance whereas Ronaldo only received a 6.5. In his 11 years of career, he scored 72 Italian League goals and also remained one of the highest-paid players in the world of football at one point.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland made an outstanding debut for Borussia Dortmund in 2020 against FC Augsburg. He scored a hat-trick in mere 23 minutes as a second-half substitute and scored his first goal within 3 minutes of being introduced.
He became only the second player in the club’s history to score three goals in his debut, the first substitute to do so. He is also the league’s second-youngest player to score a hat-trick. He has scored a total of 44 goals in his 2019-2020 campaign. His debut remains one of the most iconic debuts in football history.
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon is one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in football history. He made his debut in 1995 in a Serie A match against AC Milan. Buffon delivered an outstanding performance and kept a clean sheet of 9-0 for Parma at the age of just 17.
Over the years, he has earned an impressive list of achievements and won titles with Juventus. He owns 10 Serie A Championship titles, five Coppa Italia titles, and six Supercoppa Italiana trophies. He also earned the Best Player award in the 2006 FIFA World Cup where he led his team to victory.
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer is an English footballer who played as a striker. He made one of the greatest football debuts as he played for Southampton against Arsenal in 1998. He scored a hat-trick at just 17 years old and broke a previous record held by Jimmy Greaves to be the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the English top fight.
He continued to be a significant member of the team after his debut and helped his team win several titles. He later moved to Blackburn and won the Premier League title for the club, and also won the Golden Boot at Euro 96. He retired in 2006 with a record of 269 Premier League goals.
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