Every football season produces breakout stars who capture the imagination of fans—only to vanish just as quickly. Some players enjoy a single, spectacular campaign before fading into obscurity, while others never quite recapture their magic. Here, we look at the most unforgettable one-season wonders in football history.
1. Michu – Swansea City (2012–13)
The Premier League Breakout
18 goals in one season had giants circling, but he never hit the same heights again.
2. Fabio Borini – Roma (2011–12)
Early Promise
Showed glimpses of brilliance but couldn’t sustain it at Liverpool or Sunderland.
3. Roque Santa Cruz – Blackburn (2007–08)
Explosive Start
Scored 19 goals in his debut Premier League season.
4. Amr Zaki – Wigan (2008–09)
Egyptian Sensation
Top of the scoring charts early in the season but faded by Christmas.
5. Ailton – Werder Bremen (2003–04)
Bundesliga Top Scorer
Scored 28 league goals to fire Bremen to the title, then disappeared from elite football.
6. Konstantinos Mitroglou – Olympiacos (2013)
January Transfer Hype
A hot streak saw him move to Fulham, where he barely played.
7. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Dortmund (2015–16)
Peak Form
11 goals and 15 assists — a creative beast — but struggled after his move to the Premier League.
8. José Antonio Reyes – Arsenal (2003–04)
Invincible Spark
Played a key role in the "Invincibles" season but didn’t establish himself long-term.
Conclusion: Bright Flames, Quick Fades
Some players shine just once — but those seasons live on in memory.
