Worst Debut Ever? He lasted longer than Evra

So, it wasn’t the best debut in the world by Abdukodir Khusanov, but was it the worst? Here are some other first-game nightmares you might remember, or may have chosen to forget…

Claudio Bravo – vs. Manchester United (2016)

Signed from Barcelona for £17m move, goalkeeper Bravo made his debut in the Manchester derby in Pep’s first season, controversially replacing fans’ favourite Joe Hart. Some might say setting the tone for the rest of his City career, a performance best described as ‘eccentric’ (and more accurately described as ‘piss poor’) was crowned with a howler that let United back into the game just before half-time, City having been cruising following De Bruyne and Iheanacho goals.

Making a right balls-up of what should’ve been a regulation take from a free-kick lumped into the box, the new keeper bumped into Jonny Stones and dropped the ball on a plate for Ibrahimovic. Really getting into his stride after the interval, Bravo was very lucky not to concede a penalty after a studs-up challenge on Rooney, which on another day might have had Mark Clattenburg whipping out the red card too.

Twenty-eight games later, spread over four years, and he was out of the door, leaving many of us to wonder how bad the standard of keeping must be in Chile if this guy got 150 caps for them.

Martin Demichelis – vs. Chelsea (2013)

Signed by Manuel Pellegrini, the Argentine joined from Atletico Madrid, where he had only been for a few weeks and hadn’t actually played any matches. In truth, he didn't do too badly at Stamford Bridge considering he was coming back from a knee injury, though he might have done better as Torres pounced on a Hart-Nastasic comedy double act to score a late winner.

Gervinho – Arsenal (2011)

Hairline-horror Gervinho ended his debut against Newcastle United prematurely after being sent off for slapping Joey Barton (insert your own gag here), resulting in a three-match suspension.

Patrice Evra – Manchester United (2006)

Ever wonder why Evra is so bitter? It might go back to his Premier League debut at the Etihad (remembered more for the 3-1 home win and Ronaldo’s red card), when he was substituted at half-time after a traumatic 45 minutes.

Lionel Messi – Argentina national team (2005)

At just 18, Lionel Messi's first game for Argentina was brief. Coming off the bench in the 63rd minute, he was sent off 47 seconds later for an elbow on a Hungarian player. “I went on with a lot of time left in the game, but then what happened, happened,” said the youngster afterwards. “It was not like I had dreamed it would be.”

Jonathan Woodgate – Real Madrid (2005)

An absolute shocker. After a year sidelined due to injury, the former Leeds defender’s first appearance saw him score an own goal and receive a red card. Even Eliaquim Mangala had to wait until his second City game before managing that.

Ali Dia – Southampton (1996)

Signed by Graeme Souness after allegedly being recommended by someone impersonating George Weah, Dia conned his way onto the subs bench against Leeds. Brought on in the 32nd minute, he lasted until the 85th. He was released shortly after, having made no further appearances.

Hermann Rulander – Werder Bremen (1981)

Hermann Rulander’s debut for Werder Bremen against Eintracht Frankfurt could have gone better. The 21-year-old keeper conceded seven goals, including an own goal, before being substituted. Not surprisingly, he was dropped for the next game. And, as it turned out, every single game after that one too.

Photo: Jakhongir Fayzullayev - championat.asia, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158020029 / Modified by We Never Win At Home