Get ready to be stunned by the fascinating world of football. From record-breaking achievements to unbelievable coincidences, the sport is full of surprising facts that will leave you amazed. In this list, we'll explore 26 surprising football facts that will take your love for the game to the next level.
1. The Longest Unbeaten Run
The longest unbeaten run in football history belongs to the Brazilian team, Santos FC, which went 73 games without a loss between 1961 and 1963. This incredible feat is a testament to the team's skill and determination during that period.
2. Highest Attendance in a Football Match
The highest attendance in a football match was recorded at the 1950 World Cup final between Brazil and Uruguay, with over 199,000 spectators filling the Maracanã Stadium. This historic match still holds the record for the largest crowd in a single football game.
3. Fastest Hat-Trick in Football History
The fastest hat-trick in football history was scored by Sadio Mané in just 2 minutes and 56 seconds while playing for Southampton against Aston Villa in 2015. This incredible feat showcased Mané's exceptional skill and speed on the field.
4. The Oldest Football Club
The oldest football club in the world is the English club, Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857. This historic club has been playing football for over 160 years, making it a pioneer in the sport.
5. Most Expensive Football Transfer
The most expensive football transfer in history is the transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a staggering €222 million in 2017. This record-breaking transfer marked a new era in football's transfer market.
6. The Most Successful Football Manager
The most successful football manager in history is Sir Alex Ferguson, who won an unprecedented 49 trophies during his time at Manchester United. Ferguson's exceptional leadership and tactics made him a legendary figure in the sport.
7. Longest Penalty Shootout
The longest penalty shootout in football history occurred in 2005 during a match between the A-League's New Zealand Knights and the South Melbourne FC. The shootout lasted for 16 rounds, with the Knights eventually emerging as the winners.
8. Highest Scoring Draw in Football History
The highest-scoring draw in football history was recorded in 2006 when the Australian team, Adelaide United, played against the Brazilian team, Atlético Mineiro. The match ended in a thrilling 9-9 draw, with a total of 18 goals scored.
9. The Youngest Football Player to Score a Goal
The youngest football player to score a goal in a professional match is Fabio Carvalho, who scored for Fulham at just 16 years and 26 days old. This remarkable achievement marked the beginning of a promising career for the young player.
10. Fastest Red Card in Football History
The fastest red card in football history was given to Lee Todd, an English player who was sent off just 2 seconds into a match in 2000. This record-breaking incident is still talked about among football fans today.
11. The Most Capped Football Player
The most capped football player in history is Egyptian goalkeeper, Essam El-Hadary, who has played 159 international matches. El-Hadary's incredible career spanned over two decades, earning him a place in the record books.
12. Highest Goal Scorer in a Calendar Year
The highest goal scorer in a calendar year is Lionel Messi, who scored an incredible 91 goals in 2012. This record-breaking achievement cemented Messi's status as one of the greatest football players of all time.
13. The First Football Match to be Broadcast on Television
The first football match to be broadcast on television was the 1938 FA Cup Final between Huddersfield Town and Preston North End.
This historic broadcast marked the beginning of a new era in sports broadcasting, changing the way fans experience football forever.
14. The Longest Drought Without a Win
The longest drought without a win in the English top division belongs to Derby County, who went 32 games without a win in the 2007-2008 season. This record-breaking streak is a testament to the team's struggles during that period.
15. Most Consecutive Away Wins
The record for most consecutive away wins in the English top division belongs to Manchester City, who won 11 consecutive away games in 2017. This impressive feat showcased the team's dominance on the road.
16. The Oldest Player to Score a Goal
The oldest player to score a goal in a professional match is Billy Meredith, who scored for Manchester City at the age of 49 years and 245 days in 1924. This remarkable achievement is still talked about among football fans today.
17. Fastest Goal in Football History
The fastest goal in football history was scored by Hakan Şükür in just 11 seconds while playing for Turkey against South Korea in 2002. This record-breaking goal is still considered one of the fastest in the sport.
18. Most Red Cards Received by a Player
The record for most red cards received by a player belongs to Serbian player, Vuk Rasovic, who was given 22 red cards throughout his career. This impressive but unwanted record is a testament to Rasovic's disciplinary issues on the field.
19. The Longest Ban from Football
The longest ban from football was given to the Brazilian player, Edmílson, who was banned for 4 years and 9 months for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2005. This severe punishment marked one of the most significant cases of corruption in the sport.
20. Most Goals Scored by a Goalkeeper
The record for most goals scored by a goalkeeper belongs to Rogerio Ceni, who scored 131 goals throughout his career. This incredible achievement is a testament to Ceni's skill and accuracy from set pieces.
21. The First Football Player to Win the Ballon d'Or
The first football player to win the Ballon d'Or award was Stanley Matthews, who won it in 1956.
This prestigious award marked the beginning of a new era in recognizing individual excellence in football.
22. Most Expensive Football Stadium
The most expensive football stadium in the world is the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, which cost over $5.5 billion to build. This state-of-the-art stadium is a testament to the growing popularity of football in the United States.
23. The Oldest Football Tournament
The oldest football tournament in the world is the FA Cup, which was first held in 1871-1872. This historic tournament has been a staple of English football for over 140 years.
24. Most Hat-Tricks Scored by a Player
The record for most hat-tricks scored by a player belongs to Lionel Messi, who has scored 55 hat-tricks throughout his career. This incredible achievement is a testament to Messi's skill and goal-scoring prowess.
25. The Longest Serve as a Football Manager
The longest serve as a football manager belongs to Sir Alex Ferguson, who managed Manchester United for 27 years. This record-breaking tenure is a testament to Ferguson's dedication and success with the team.
26. The First Football Match to be Played at Wembley Stadium
The first football match to be played at Wembley Stadium was the 1923 FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United. This historic match marked the opening of one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.