Top 10 Debut Goalscorers in Football History (Ranked)

Top 10 Greatest Debuts in Football History (Ranked)

There's no better feeling in football than watching a new signing perform en-debut, getting fans excited thinking they've found the next big thing. Often, things don't pan out this way with outstanding debuts leading to underwhelming careers and debut struggles for star signings.

Every fan and player dreams of these moments as a kid and most of us don't come close to the feeling. But for those who do, there can be no greater feat than a sold out crowd screaming your name as you make the best first impression.

So let's take a trip down memory lane and look at the best debuts in the history of the sport. From club debuts, competition debuts and the biggest stage, international debuts. Here is the top 10 greatest debut's in Football history.

No.10 - Antonio Arena - Roma

The 16-year-old announced himself on the biggest stage. The young starlet arrived from Australia to Italy in 2022, signing for Pescara. He featured 5 times for the club, scoring1 goal, helping them to promotion last season. After impressing in his short stint, he caught the eye of Roma, arriving in the summer.

He had to be patient, waiting 6 months for his debut, it did not disappoint. Less than a minute into his debut he had the whole of Rome jumping, netting an equaliser in the Coppa Italia. What's more impressive is that it was his first touch in a Roma shirt, the ball came across and his eyes must have lit up, nodding it in at the back post. Unfortunately Roma fell short to a 90th minute winner, but the fans will be excited knowing they may have their next big star.

🌟🇦🇺 Antonio Arena (16) just scored on debut with his first touch to become AS Roma’s 3rd/youngest ever goal scorer! 💛❤️

Incredible moment from Australia’s best young talent 💎

pic.twitter.com/QRxH0kjO1l

— AusFootHQ (@ALeagueHQ) January 13, 2026

No.9 - Lionel Messi - Inter Miami

The man that needs no introduction - only one of the world's greatest ever football could turn up on his debut and perfectly place a last minute winning free-kick into the top corner. Of course, that is what Lionel Messi did on his Inter Miami Debut.

The scene was set, Messi entered the field 1-0 up with 40 minutes to play. The quality was there straight away, but Cruz Azul thought they had spoiled the party, equalising just minutes later. Did they really think a man of that calibre was going to let that happen? A free-kick on the edge of the area, with just seconds left on the clock. The script was written, and Messi followed it to the letter.

No.8 - Anthony Martial - Manchester United

Arguably one of the most famous pieces of commentary ever heard. "Welcome to Manchester United, Anthony Martial" - and welcomed he was. Debuts at the Theatre of Dreams don't get much better. The stage was set, Manchester United vs Liverpool, with the score at 2-1. He had the freedom to go and do what every United fan dreams of.

In the 86th minute he entered the pitch and within a matter of minutes he was celebrating in front of the United faithful after an outstanding solo goal. He took it inside then back out, beating two men before firing into the bottom corner. Hopes were high, but unfortunately Martial could not reach the highs of that moment again, but is still loved by the fans after some solid years of service at Old Trafford.

No.7 - Andros Townsend - England

Everyone knows the quality of Townsend's left foot. After all, he has one of the most impressive goal catalogues in football, most memorably that volley away at Manchester City. But what many people don't remember is how he burst onto the scene in an England shirt. He was firing them in for Spurs at the time and caught the eye of Roy Hodgson (who would later sign him for Palace).

It was October 2013, and England took on Montenegro in a World Cup Qualifier. England took three points with a 4-1 win, Townsend netting the 3rd in emphatic fashion, enough to earn him man of the match on debut. Every England fan thought we had our next big star, but Townsend only went on to play 12 more times for the Three Lions, netting only one more goal.

A dream debut 🚀#OnThisDay in 2013, @andros_townsend marked his first #ThreeLions appearance with a superb goal! pic.twitter.com/foUVhd0KuB

— England (@England) October 11, 2020

No.6 - Sergio Aguero - Manchester City

Everyone knows Aguero as one of the best finishers the Premier League has ever seen. 184 goals in 275 league appearances is nothing short of astonishing, and Aguero really didn't stop - from the moment he stepped out at the Etihad he became a City legend.

Arriving from Atletico Madrid, the capabilities were unknown by many, but coming off the bench and netting a brace in a 4-0 win at home to Swansea put City fans at ease and left them wondering would his future could be. In many ways his debut was really a look into what the next decade would hold, lots of goals, titles and many memorable moments... AGUEROOOOOO!

No.5 - Ronaldo (R9) - Real Madrid

One of the games biggest names, R9 features on our list of iconic debuts. The Brazilian played for many big clubs such as Inter Milan, AC Milan and Barcelona. But no debuts stood out as much as his one for Real Madrid, wearing that now iconic Number 9 shirt.

Ronaldo made his debut back in 2002 - a World Cup year - and was hoping to continue his fine form heading into the summer. There was no better possible start, just 61 seconds in he found the back of the net, making it 3-1 to Madrid. He didn't stop there adding a second to his name just 13 minutes later. And in true iconic fashion, Ronaldo completed a debut hat-trick off the bench in the 91st minute. The game ended 5-1, a debut to remember. He went on to score 104 goals, cementing his legacy at the club.

No.4 - Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

Haaland is up there as one of the best goal scorers of all time at the age of just 25. He has been firing for City since his arrival, scoring 150 times in 175 games. We should have known he was going to be special after one of the greatest debuts we've ever seen. Similar to many on this list, Haaland arrived at Borussia Dortmund making his debut off the bench.

Just like the icon R9, Haaland impressed straight away, scoring a 23-minute hat-trick. Dortmund were trailing 3-1 in the 56th minute, and needed a hero. Just three minutes after coming on, Haaland made an instant impact, firing home to spark a comeback. Two minutes later, Jadon Sancho equalized for the visitors before Haaland completed the turnaround in the 70th minute. The then-19-year-old phenom wasn’t done there, he sealed his hat-trick with 11 minutes to play, leading one of the greatest comebacks in one of the greatest debuts.

No.3 - Wayne Rooney - Manchester United

There's always conversation surrounding Wayne Rooney, whether it's good or bad. But one thing for sure is that the man knew how to impress on debut. He did it for Everton, but more impressively did it for Manchester United at Old Trafford on a European night. Rooney arrived in the summer after catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson.

He made his debut in the Champions League against Fenerbahce at Old Trafford. Not many could imagine that it would have gone the way it did. With the home crowd eager to see their new signing in action, Rooney wasted no time making an impact, scoring less than 20 minutes into the game. He went into the break, with a brace, dreaming of the match ball. That didn't take long and just 9 minutes after the restart Rooney had this third, a superb free kick from the edge of the box. He finished the night with a hat-trick and an assist.

🔄 57’ Haaland on for debut
⚽️ 59’ Haaland scores
⚽️ 70’ Haaland scores
⚽️ 79’ Haaland scores

What a start to his Dortmund career!

This guy is ridiculous 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QFYJuycrtt

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 18, 2020

No.2 - Zlatan Ibrahimovic - LA Galaxy

Many were surprised when Zlatan made the move to the MLS, despite his old age suiting the stateside move for many of his age-mates. The Swedish icon still had the up-most quality and could play for a top team in Europe. But in typical Zlatan fashion, he did what he wanted and, my god, did it impress.

The stage was set, an LA derby with Zlatan's side trailing 3-1 with just 20 minutes to go. Zlatan 'The Lion' clawed a goal back for his side just 2 minutes after coming on. He wasn't done there, scoring arguably the greatest MLS goal, a breath-taking half-volley from 40 yards out. So the game sat at 3-3, with LA already in awe of the man himself. It wouldn't be a Zlatan story without a storyline ending, in the 91st minute he completed a remarkable comeback, heading home from an Ashley Cole cross. He had truly announced himself in LA in the most Zlatan way possible, no one else could do it like he did.

No.1 - Marcus Rashford -Too many to name

Marcus Rashford's middle name may as well be debut - the Englishman has scored on his debut in over 8 different senior debuts, including the Champions League. So what debut have we picked at his best? Well, lets discuss the top three shall we?

3 - Europa League Debut - Rashford at the age 18 was United's only available striker at the time, and in some sense was relied on, and he needed to perform on debut in a time of need. Louis van Gaal must have been laughing, when his teenage striker netted two goals on his debut in a 5-star performance, winning 5-1.

2 - Barcelona Champions League Debut - Rashford was back in England after his move to Barcelona, and back at St James's Park. It was a highly anticipated Champions League tie, and Rashford quickly silenced the home crowd, with two goals in quick succession during the second half. Barcelona took all 3 points in a 2-1 win and manager Hansi Flick was more than happy with his signing's performance.

1- Premier League Debut - Just days after his Europa League debut, fans were still talking about his goals. But could he repeat it against the Gunners? The answer was yes - Rashford stunned Arsenal by bagging another brace and picking up an assist in a 3-2 win. The footballing world could not believe what they were seeing, 4 goals and an assist in two appearances for Manchester United at the age of just 18!

rashford scored 10 goals on 6 different debuts. which youngster wouldn't be inspired by him https://t.co/9qMXx4aq0W pic.twitter.com/AS61Edx2GM

— ⚡ (@UTDCJ_) June 29, 2024