Antoine Semenyo joins forgotten Champions League winner in exclusive two-man club

Antoine Semenyo joined Steve Finnan in an exclusive club when making his Champions League debut against Real Madrid.

The January arrival made his first-ever European appearance on Wednesday night, as he was named in Manchester City‘s starting XI for their shock 3-0 defeat in the last 16 first leg at the Bernabeu.

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It proved a baptism of fire for Semenyo, as City found themselves three down at half-time courtesy of a Federico Valverde hat-trick.

Despite this, it was still an historic night for the Ghana international, as he continued his meteoric rise up the football pyramid.

By featuring in the European tie, Semenyo became just the second player to play in all four divisions of English football, non-League and the Champions League.

Having started his career at Bristol City in the Championship, the winger earned his first stripes in men’s football on loan at National League South club Bath City.

Further loan spells then followed at Newport County in League Two and with Sunderland, then in League One.

Semenyo then became a regular at Bristol City in the 2020/21 campaign, before a move to the Premier League with Bournemouth in January 2023.

Who else has achieved the feat?

The first player to achieve the same unique feat at Semenyo was former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan.

A Champions League winner with the Reds in 2005, Finnan began his senior career with non-league outfit Welling United.

He then climbed up the divisions, joining Birmingham City in the second tier in 1995, before a move to Notts County saw him feature in both third and fourth divisions.

Finnan made his Premier League debut with Fulham in 2001, where his performances saw him snapped up by Liverpool in 2003.

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His first Champions League appearance came in a qualifier against Grazer AK of Austria in the 2004/05 season, which ultimately saw the Reds triumph with the historic final victory over AC Milan in Istanbul.

Finnan started the final at right-back, but had to be substituted at half-time after picking up an injury, with Liverpool 3-0 down.

As history will tell you, Rafa Benitez’s side famously fought back to make it 3-3, before clinching their fifth European glory on penalties, meaning Finnan picked up a winners’ medal in his debut season.

City in need of a miracle

Semenyo will certainly be hoping he can continue to mirror the former Ireland international’s career in European football.

Man City are now in need of a miracle of their own in the Champions League, after being left with a mountain to climb in the first leg of their Real Madrid clash.

Valverde put the Spanish giants ahead after 20 minutes when he pounced on a Gianluigi Donnarumma mistake to slot home from a narrow angle.

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And the Uruguayan soon grabbed his second, with a clinical touch and finish into the far corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Valverde completed his first-ever career hat-trick with a stunning third goal that saw him flick the ball over Marc Guehi before volleying home.

This saw Semenyo endure a rare, disappointing night in his fledgling Man City career, following his £62.5million move from Bournemouth.

Since joining in January, the wide man has enjoyed an electric start to life at the Etihad, netting seven goals in 14 games.

He will hope to add to his tally against Real Madrid in the second leg next Tuesday, with coverage live on talkSPORT.

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