5 most bizarre football moments of 2021

It can be said with certainty that football will never fail to entertain. Both on the pitch and off it, fans have witnessed some spectacular moments that will forever be remembered. The best part, however, is that there will always be more to come.

While some of these moments are hilariously bad, others are simply astonishing. After all, footballers are human and deal with issues in different ways. We take a look at five of the most bizarre football moments from all over the world in 2021.

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#5 Goalie’s dreadful own goal during the World Cup Qualifiers

Haiti's Josue Duverger (Image courtesy: Fox News)

The Canada versus Haiti game in June of 2021 witnessed one of the worst goalkeeper blunders ever. Haiti was part of the World Cup in 1974 and has not managed to qualify since.

The Canadians won the first leg 0-1 and had the advantage of an away goal. Haiti's already uphill task was made even more difficult by goalkeeper Josue Duverger's error.

The dynamic of the game completely changed at the start of the second half when Haiti's left-back Kevin LaFrance played a seemingly harmless pass back to his goalkeeper. However, Duverger made a mess of things. He panicked and miscontrolled the ball not once but twice and accidentally drove it into the goal with his left foot.

Own goals are always a nightmare for a goalie but a blunder like this is on a whole different level. Canada put in a dominant performance and emerged 4-0 winners. Interestingly, Duverger is Canadian-born, from Montreal.

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#4 Mattia Destro scores while holding a water bottle

Genoa CFC v Hellas Verona FC - Serie A

Genoa and Hellas Verona played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in the Serie A in September of 2021. Hellas Verona took the lead in the 8th minute via Giovanni Someone and they controlled the rest of the half. The Italian side doubled their advantage at the start of the second half thanks to a penalty dispatched by Antonin Barak.

Verona then conceded a clumsy penalty in the 75th minute, which Genoa capitalized on. Domenico Criscito got the job done from the spot, sparking an incredible comeback. Mattia Destro was heavily involved as he scored two quickfire goals.

Destro was taking a short water break when he found the ball at his feet fortuitously. Having equalized just five minutes earlier, he produced a moment of magic when he picked up the ball in the attacking third. Destro went on a marauding run towards the opposition's box somehow with the bottle still in his hand.

Destro cut onto his left, sending defender Koray Hunter the wrong way and then coolly chipped the onrushing Lorenzo Montipo. However, Nikola Kalinic had the last word as his cool finish secured a draw for Hellas Verona in stoppage time.

#3 Aleksandar Mitrovic's crazy goal against Huddersfield

Fulham v Huddersfield Town - Sky Bet Championship

Next on the list is Aleksandar Mitrovic’s extraordinary goal for Fulham. The London side moved to the top of the table in the Championship after thrashing Huddersfield 5-1 in August of 2021. Mitrovic's opening goal came in comical fashion.

Sorba Thomas, who tried to keep the ball from going out for a throw-in, played a 40-yard pass back to goalkeeper Ryan Schofield. However, the pass was misdirected and Schofield struggled to get the ball under his control. Schofield then made matters worse by kicking the ball straight to Mitrovic.

Mitrovic slipped just before pouncing on the chance and unintentionally managed to get make contact on the ball. It somehow cannoned into Huddersfield's goal. Mitrovic celebrated as if he had scored a banger from 30 yards out and he would probably say he meant to score there.

Much to the annoyance of Huddersfield fans, the linesman should have actually given a corner as the keeper couldn’t keep the ball in play.

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#2 Didier Lamkel Ze shows up to training in a rival's shirt

Didier Lamkel Ze: Cameroonian striker threatens of leaving Antwerp (Image courtesy: espn.com)

Royal Antwerp forward Didier Lamkel Ze displayed his eagerness to leave the club by showing up to training in the jersey of their biggest rivals. While it’s common for players to show their frustration, this was probably taking it a step too far.

The Cameroon international was reportedly desperate to move to Greece to play for Panathinaikos and tried every trick in the bag to force a move. When he showed up to training, the security personnel prevented Lamkel Ze from entering the premises.

Former Antwerp boss Laszlo Boloni manages Panathinaikos and Lamkel Ze was hoping to be reunited with his old boss. The 25-year-old’s contract runs out at the end of this season and it will be interesting to see if he manages to make his dream move to Greece.

After this incident, Lamkel Ze was loaned out to DAC Dunajská Streda of the Fortuna Liga.

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#1 Suriname's vice president steps onto the pitch

Ronnie Brunswijk playing for Inter Moengotapoe (Image Courtesy: footballtransfers.com)

While the sight of a country leader watching a football game might not be uncommon, seeing one actually play on the pitch is just bizarre. Ronnie Brunswijk, aged 60, is the vice president of Suriname and made history by becoming the oldest male to ever play in an international club competition.

Brunswijk owns Honduran side Inter Moengotapoe and took to the pitch in September of 2021 to play in a CONCACAF league match. Not only did Brunswijk force his name on the team sheet, but he on to name himself captain. Brunswijk played for 54 minutes and his team were eventually beaten 6-0 by Olimpia.

What’s even more astonishing is that Brunswijk was seen handing out money in Olimpia’s dressing room after the match. The video went viral and led to CONCACAF opening an investigation into the incident.

Brunswijk has apparently contributed a lot towards the club’s development. The club’s stadium was also named Ronnie Brunswijkstadion in 2002.