Antoine Semenyo (foto: Getty Images)
Antoine Semenyo scored and assisted on his Manchester City debut against Exeter — the same opponent he scored against on his professional debut almost 2,000 days ago.
Antoine Semenyo could hardly have scripted a better debut in a Manchester City shirt.
The former Bournemouth forward scored and provided an assist in City’s staggering 10-1 win over Exeter, immediately announcing himself to Pep Guardiola’s team.
But the story carries a beautiful twist.
Semenyo scored on his City debut against Exeter. And incredibly, he also scored on his professional debut against the very same opponent — back when he was playing for Bristol City.
Exactly 1,953 days have passed between those two goals.
A perfect case of football deja vu.
Exeter, who currently play in League One — the third tier of English football — are going through a difficult period as a club. In November last year, a fire broke out at their stadium, causing significant damage and further complicating their situation.
This time, they were simply overwhelmed by Manchester City’s firepower.
Semenyo did not just score. He also registered an assist, and Guardiola showed full confidence in him by placing the 26-year-old straight into the starting XI.
He repaid that trust immediately.
Semenyo almost signed for the other side of Manchester
The story could have been very different.
Last summer, Manchester United were seriously interested in Semenyo. The player even had dinner with then-coach Ruben Amorim, and negotiations reached an advanced stage.
However, United refused to pay €70 million, believing they could get Bryan Mbeumo for less. In the end, they paid €75 million for Mbeumo anyway.
Amorim wanted Semenyo again this year, but once it became clear that he was heading to Manchester City, he asked the club to invest the money in another player.
The club’s leadership did not agree, which further damaged relations — and shortly afterwards, Ruben Amorim was sacked.
Meanwhile, Semenyo is already making headlines in blue.
And in a strange, poetic twist, he did it exactly where his professional story first began.