In the realm of Football, the first impression can shape a player's legacy. Nevertheless, several former stars from Chelsea, Manchester United, and Real Madrid had debuts that etched themselves into memory for all the wrong reasons.

Embarking on a new journey, whether in football or any other field, often entails putting in the work, executing the tasks, and avoiding pitfalls. However, the road to success can be paved with unforeseen stumbling blocks, as demonstrated by the unfortunate occurrences in these instances.

Delving into the annals of the sport, we present 13 instances of some of the most disastrous debut performances in football history.

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea's record-breaking acquisition of Caicedo for £115 million following a spirited bidding war with Liverpool was accompanied by a flood of memes and a wave of jubilation among their supporters. However, any sense of triumph was quickly overshadowed by Caicedo's debut appearance against West Ham. Coming on as a late substitute, the Ecuadorian struggled to keep up with the pace, committing several errors and conceding the penalty that solidified Chelsea's 3-1 defeat. Undoubtedly, the only path from here is upwards.

Jonathan Woodgate

No observations required.

Lionel Messi

While Lionel Messi's prowess on the field has solidified his status as arguably the greatest footballer of all time, his international debut for Argentina was an unfortunate episode to forget. Making his inaugural appearance in a friendly against Hungary, the forward's introduction in the 63rd minute took an unexpected turn. Instead of making a lasting impression, Messi found himself dismissed from the pitch only two minutes after entering, owing to a foul on Hungary's Vilmos Vanczak. The story may have brought tears at the time, but it's safe to assume it no longer haunts his nights.

Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva's reputation as one of Chelsea's standout signings of the contemporary era is firmly established. Yet, his maiden outing in English football was far from auspicious. During an encounter against newly-promoted West Brom, the Brazilian relinquished possession in his own half, leading to Callum Robinson's second goal of West Brom's three first-half strikes. Despite failing to execute a single tackle and conceding two successful dribbles, Silva's debut woes were compensated by second-half goals from Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Tammy Abraham, helping him move beyond this initial setback.

Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra's remarkable career at Manchester United, marked by 14 trophies including five Premier League titles and a Champions League victory, was set against the backdrop of a less-than-ideal debut. In his first game for the club, he was substituted at halftime due to a challenging first 45 minutes against Manchester City, where he was left chasing shadows, particularly against Trevor Sinclair. Reflecting on the moment, Evra acknowledged the intensity of English football and how it humbled him, despite his past accomplishments on the international stage.

Joe Cole

On his Liverpool debut against Arsenal in 2010, Joe Cole's red card emerged as a defining moment of his tenure at Anfield. This interaction between Cole and the club's supporters failed to foster the rapport one would hope for, ultimately making him one of the club's most unimpressive signings.

Gervinho

When Arsenal secured the services of Gervinho from Lille in 2011, hopes were high, fueled by comparisons to his then-teammate, Eden Hazard. Unfortunately, his debut came crashing down when he was shown a red card for striking Joey Barton in a goalless draw against Newcastle. In this instance, perhaps his frustration towards Barton was understandable to many.

Ali Dia

Legend has it that Ali Dia's solitary appearance for Southampton played a part in steering Matt Le Tissier's career trajectory in an unexpected direction.

Saul Niguez

Although Saul Niguez was recognized as one of Europe's premier midfield talents, his debut for Chelsea, while on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2021, was a stark departure from expectations. Facing Aston Villa, he found himself outclassed by John McGinn and the opposing midfield. Notably, his misplaced passes nearly resulted in a goal from Ollie Watkins. Consequently, he was substituted at halftime and was granted only a handful of subsequent league starts during his loan spell.

Gaetano Berardi

Gaetano Berardi achieved cult hero status at Leeds, partly due to his distinctive style exemplified by a red card on his debut, a remarkable karate kick aimed at Accrington Stanley's player. The unusual nature of the incident earned it a place in football folklore.

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand, upon becoming the world's costliest defender with an £18 million transfer to Leeds from West Ham in 2000, had an unfortunate start to his club career. Despite high expectations, his debut against Leicester saw Leeds concede three goals within the opening 28 minutes. This disappointing performance marked the beginning of a challenging season for Leeds, leading to their eventual failure to secure Champions League qualification and descent into League One.

Wayne Bridge

Amid relegation concerns in 2011, West Ham turned to Wayne Bridge to bolster their defense. Unfortunately, the England defender's performance was underwhelming, marked by errors that facilitated Arsenal's first two goals. As a sour cherry on top, he also conceded a late penalty, resulting in a 3-0 victory for Arsenal. Regrettably, West Ham was relegated that season.

Alex Jankewitz

The most unfortunate case comes in the form of Alex Jankewitz, whose Premier League debut for Southampton against Manchester United in February 2021 lasted a mere 79 seconds before he was sent off for a reckless tackle on Scott McTominay. Southampton's loss was monumental, ending in a 9-0 defeat. This moment served as a curtain call for Jankewitz's Southampton career, as he never featured again for the club, subsequently being transferred to Young Boys during the following summer.