Footballers With More Own Goals Than Goals in Career 2026

Have any footballers ended their career with more own goals than goals? It’s a rare and bizarre statistical quirk, but several professional players have indeed finished their senior careers with more own goals than goals for their own team. This article explores those unfortunate few and the stories behind their unusual records.

What Counts as an Own Goal?

An own goal occurs when a player accidentally scores against their own team. While often comical, they can also be costly. For defenders, own goals are an occupational hazard, but some players have a knack for finding the net at the wrong end. The background to this story is set out in Footballers Who Scored With Their First Career Touch. A related thread runs through Footballers with the Most Clubs in Career History. Earlier coverage in Jordan Nobbs Eyes Newcastle WSL Promotion as Ultimate Career Goal shows how the argument developed.

Notable Players with More Own Goals Than Goals

Several defenders have achieved this dubious distinction. Here are some of the most prominent examples: A closer look at the same subject appears in Celebrity: latest articles. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Footballers Who Ended Scoring Droughts With Backside Goals. The same theme surfaces in Premier League Matchday Live: Manchester City Headlines Exciting, which takes a different angle.

• Jamie Carragher: The Liverpool legend scored 4 goals and 7 own goals in his career. He even scored two own goals in one match against Manchester United in 1999!
• Riccardo Ferri: The Inter Milan defender scored 6 goals and 8 own goals in Serie A. He may have broken even with cup goals, but his Serie A record is negative.
• Francis Benali: Southampton cult hero scored just 1 goal but was notorious for own goals, including a bullet header against Oldham in 1993-94.

Comparison of Players with More Own Goals Than Goals

Why Do Some Players End Up with More Own Goals?

Defenders are more prone to own goals due to their positioning and the pressure they face. However, ending a career with more own goals than goals is still extremely rare. It often requires a combination of bad luck, aggressive defending, and a lack of goalscoring opportunities. Context on how this played out before sits in World Cup Final Data: Spain vs Argentina Key Stats. A companion piece, Rodri World Cup Stats: How He Dominated for Spain, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Jamie Carragher is perhaps the most famous example, with 7 own goals vs 4 goals.
• Riccardo Ferri, a top defender, also had a negative ratio in Serie A.
• Francis Benali scored only once but managed multiple own goals.
• Such records are rare and usually involve defenders who rarely score.

FAQ

Who is the most famous footballer with more own goals than goals?

Jamie Carragher is often cited as the most famous example, with 7 own goals and only 4 goals in his career.

Are there any other players with this record?

Yes, Riccardo Ferri and Francis Benali are other notable examples, though data for all players is not comprehensive.

How common is it for a player to have more own goals than goals?

It is extremely rare, especially for non-defenders. Most players with this record are defenders who scored very few goals.

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