Football is a sport full of surprises, but some records are so strange they seem almost made up. These aren’t just about skill or talent, they’re about unusual circumstances, extreme dominance, and sometimes, just plain weirdness. Let’s look at five of the most unbelievable records in football history.
- The Longest Shot Ever (96-Meter Goal)
Imagine a goalkeeper kicking the ball from his own penalty area and it going straight into the opponent’s net. That’s exactly what happened when Tom King, playing for Newport County, scored a goal from a distance of 96.01 meters (over 100 yards). This happened on January 19, 2021, and it’s officially the longest goal ever scored in a professional football match. It’s a moment that shows the unpredictable nature of football and the sheer luck involved sometimes.
- Lionel Messi’s 91 Goals in a Year
Lionel Messi is known for scoring lots of goals, but his 91 goals in 2012 for Barcelona is a record that might never be broken. Think about it, that’s almost two goals every game. Messi was at the peak of his powers that year, and he scored in almost every match he played. It showcases his incredible talent and his dedication to the game. This record shows just how special Messi is as a player.
- AS Adema 149-0 SO l’Emyrne
This record is so unbelievable it sounds like a joke. In a match between AS Adema and SO l’Emyrne in Madagascar on October 31, 2002, the final score was 149-0. Yes, you read that right. The SO l’Emyrne players intentionally lost the game by scoring own goals to protest against some refereeing decisions. While it technically counts as a record, it’s a strange and controversial one that reflects problems off the field more than anything.
- 36 Red Cards in a Single Game
Usually, a couple of red cards in a football match is a big deal. But in a game between Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in Argentina on February 27, 2011, a mind-boggling 36 red cards were shown. The referee sent off all 22 players on the field, along with several substitutes and even the coaches. It was a chaotic game, to say the least. This record shows how heated and passionate football can be, sometimes to an extreme.
- Ray Clemence’s 537 Shutouts
Keeping a clean sheet as a goalkeeper is a difficult task. Ray Clemence, who played for Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, holds the record for the most clean sheets in football history, with a staggering 537. This shows his incredible consistency and skill as a goalkeeper. Clemence was a reliable presence in goal for many years, and this record shows his talent and his dedication to keeping the ball out of the net.
These unbelievable records, while sometimes strange, become part of football’s legacy. They are stories that fans tell and remember, adding to the rich history of the sport. They remind us that football is a game of skill, strategy, and emotion, but also a game where the unexpected can happen, leading to records that may never be broken, or perhaps, may be broken in even more unbelievable ways.
