
We’ve highlighted the most entertaining and hilarious moments in football from the past year, featuring everything from Roy Keane’s witty remarks to Chris Wilder’s amusing sandwich outburst, along with Erling Haaland’s playful antics and Jamie Vardy’s trademark cheekiness.
Here’s the lineup, presented in a chronological format for your enjoyment.
Experience the Most Hilarious Football Moments of 2024:
Pascal Chimbonda’s Creative Rule-Bending
The year 2024 kicked off with a bang, marked by a memorable incident involving former Wigan and Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda. He faced a five-match suspension in January for improper conduct but cleverly managed to reduce it to three games through an appeal. In an unexpected twist, Chimbonda registered himself as a player, enabling him to step onto the pitch for the next match despite his ban. This clever maneuvering caught the attention of fans and commentators alike, illustrating both his resourcefulness and the often humorous side of football regulations.
Pascal Chimbonda getting a touchline ban as manager then registering himself to play.
It’s very hard to see how 2024 gets better than this https://t.co/VtL2HMdPc7
— Cultras Football Podcast (@thecultraspod) January 5, 2024
Chris Wilder’s Sandwich Incident Sparks Controversy
In February, Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, made headlines for his tongue-in-cheek criticism of a match official who was caught munching on a sandwich while he was addressing them. Wilder expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s another ridiculous performance from the referee.” He further elaborated on how crucial decisions seemed to always go against his team. His sharp comments included a jab at one of the assistants who was indulging in a sandwich during a serious discussion with a Premier League manager, emphasizing what he saw as a lack of respect. The FA didn’t take his remarks lightly, imposing a hefty fine of £11,500 for his candid observations.
“Hopefully he enjoyed his sandwich while he was talking to a Premier League manager.”
Chris Wilder wasn’t happy.#BBCFootball | @footballheaven pic.twitter.com/xuBaDAhS7p
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 1, 2024
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Mark Robins Celebrates in Style After FA Cup Triumph
One of the standout matches last season was Coventry City’s thrilling comeback victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup. The Sky Blues equalized dramatically in the 97th minute before snatching a winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time, igniting scenes of jubilant celebration. Naturally, the then-manager Mark Robins was ecstatic, but his reaction took a cheeky turn as he playfully taunted a Wolves ball boy who had been teasing him during the match, showcasing the lighter side of football as he celebrated in a way that was both humorous and memorable.
So this is the Mark Robins celebration Gary O’Neil called “disgusting and disgraceful”.
Get a life Gary. #PUSB pic.twitter.com/Y5DA5eB0ya
— Alex (@AlexndrJohnson) March 16, 2024
Micky van de Ven’s Memorable Tumble
In April, Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven experienced a comical moment reminiscent of Jerome Boateng’s infamous slip when he was outmaneuvered by Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. The Dutch defender lost his footing and tumbled spectacularly, landing on his head and instantly becoming a meme sensation across social media platforms. His mishap highlighted the unpredictable and often humorous nature of football, where even professional athletes can have their moments of clumsiness.
Ante Budimir’s Infamous Penalty Miss
Throughout football history, there have been numerous poorly executed penalties, but none may ever rival Ante Budimir’s attempt last season. With the opportunity to secure a crucial point for Osasuna in the dying moments of their La Liga clash against Valencia, Budimir faltered spectacularly. His standing foot became stuck in the ground, resulting in a feeble shot that rolled harmlessly into the waiting hands of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is set to join Liverpool. This blunder was so shocking that it prompted widespread disbelief among fans and analysts alike.
“It’s the worst penalty you’ll see, certainly this season and maybe ever!”
What was Ante Budimir thinking?! pic.twitter.com/qyAvE6mme1
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 15, 2024
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Albanian Fans’ Hilarious Spaghetti Trolling
Before the Euro 2024 encounter between Albania and Italy, the traveling Albanian supporters ingeniously mocked their Italian counterparts by committing the ultimate culinary faux pas in their eyes: snapping spaghetti in half. This humorous act of defiance added an entertaining layer to the already intense rivalry, showcasing the creative ways fans engage with each other during international competitions.
Tw: Italianophobia
Albanian fans snapped spaghetti in front of Italian fans ahead of the Italy-Albania Euro 2024 match. pic.twitter.com/7c3c5rByOI
— kos_data (@kos_data) June 15, 2024
Amadou Onana’s Quick-Witted Comeback
It’s never pleasant to get someone’s name wrong, especially when it involves a prominent figure in your field, and even more so when it’s captured on camera. Aston Villa and Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana had a memorable encounter when a reporter mistakenly referred to him as Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. In a brilliant display of quick thinking, Onana switched languages and accents in a matter of seconds, showcasing his personality and charm. This lighthearted moment highlighted the interactions between athletes and the media, reminding us that sometimes humor can break the tension in serious situations.
Sensational change of aura from Amadou Onana here. He went from BBC Four to ITV2 in an instant
pic.twitter.com/sFp8VdpmjG— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) June 18, 2024
Gary Lineker’s Hilarious Roast of Frank Lampard
Every football pundit featured on the BBC knows they are subject to light-hearted ribbing from Gary Lineker, but Frank Lampard got a surprise when Lineker made a cheeky joke about his bald spot during the Euro 2024 coverage. The banter led to a priceless reaction from Lampard, who was likely still fuming over the unexpected roast. This moment perfectly encapsulated the playful camaraderie that often exists among pundits and highlights the entertaining side of football analysis.
Gary Lineker has just absolutely bodied Frank Lampard on live TV Lampards face is killing me. The fume pic.twitter.com/cGmdAHnvjO
— Slaughts_1 (@Slaughts_1) June 19, 2024
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Jamie Vardy’s Cheeky Dig at Spurs Fans
At the beginning of the 2024/25 season, Leicester City secured a point against Spurs, thanks to a late equalizer from Jamie Vardy. In classic Vardy fashion, he proceeded to remind the opposing fans that he has a Premier League title to his name, while their club remains without one. This moment was a perfect illustration of Vardy’s playful personality and his enjoyment of getting under the skin of rival fans, adding to his reputation as a skilled wind-up merchant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFb12I8dSQ
Arsenal Mascot Adds Humor to North London Derby
During the September clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, an Arsenal mascot took the opportunity to humorously confront the Spurs mascot, injecting some light-hearted fun into the intense atmosphere of a North London derby. This playful interaction served as a reminder of the passionate rivalries in football while also showcasing the lighter side of the sport.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTU721Nw2M
Erling Haaland’s Lighthearted Antics with Gabriel
Following a thrilling 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City, Erling Haaland decided to lob the ball at Gabriel Magalhaes’ head as a cheeky gesture. His playful actions, which followed up with a well-known “stay humble” remark directed at Mikel Arteta, brought a smile to many fans. Since then, Haaland has continued to shine, scoring three goals in the Premier League, further enhancing his reputation as a dynamic player who knows how to have fun on the pitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKEVVYuCJuQ
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Cole Palmer’s Unconventional Break During Premier League Match
During a Premier League clash in October between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, while players were fiercely competing, Cole Palmer took a different approach by sitting down on the grass to conserve his energy. This amusing moment showcased a unique perspective on the game, illustrating how players sometimes find ways to take a breather amidst the intensity of competition.
— Cold Palmer (@CoId_PaImer) October 6, 2024
David James Surprises Everyone During Halftime
A cherished football tradition involves young children taking penalties during halftime, often with a club mascot or an ex-player in goal. During Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea, former goalkeeper David James broke from tradition by saving not one, but two penalties from young fans. His unexpected heroics turned him into a temporary villain in the eyes of the young participants, creating a memorable moment that highlighted his playful side and the fun that can occur in football.
David James turned into the villain as he saved TWO penalties from a young fan at half-time yesterday pic.twitter.com/9j33DQk5FX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 21, 2024
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Carra and Walcott’s Hilarious Reenactment
During the post-match analysis of Liverpool’s draw with Arsenal, Theo Walcott humorously recreated the iconic moment when Thierry Henry placed his hand on Jamie Carragher’s leg following the news of Brendan Rodgers’ sacking in 2015. This playful reenactment brought laughter and nostalgia to viewers, reminding fans of the light-hearted moments that can occur in football analysis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzuL2IKbrCA
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Roy Keane’s Unforgettable Innuendo Moment
Among the many memorable clips from Roy Keane’s appearances on The Overlap, one stood out last month when he delivered a witty comment that had viewers in stitches. His humorous questioning left fans wondering if it was the funniest moment in the history of the show, encapsulating Keane’s flair for combining humor with football analysis and creating unforgettable television.
“Please keep that in!”
Is this the funniest moment in Stick to Football history? pic.twitter.com/ijMXyGeHLR
— The Overlap (@WeAreTheOverlap) November 21, 2024
Jordan Turnbull’s Hilarious Pants Incident
Experiencing public embarrassment is tough, but imagine being caught with your pants down during a football match, leading directly to a goal. This is the situation Jordan Turnbull found himself in, and it’s a moment he will likely never live down. The incident serves as a humorous reminder of how unpredictable and entertaining football can be, where anything can happen on the pitch.
When your pants are down and you’re punished! #EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/HELPZ0T0Nk
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) December 21, 2024
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