There’s something special about a player facing his former club — and even more so when he finds the back of the net. Whether driven by emotion, revenge, or pure professionalism, some players have made a habit of punishing the very teams that helped launch their careers.
We’ve taken a closer look at the ten players who have scored the most goals against their former clubs since the year 2000 — and just how often they’ve done it.
10. Samuel Eto’o – 11 goals
ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com
Against Real Madrid in 20 games. Let go by Madrid early in his career, Eto’o made it personal. He came back to haunt them time and time again, especially during his peak at Barcelona.
Against Borussia Mönchengladbach in 18 games. Reus started his rise in Gladbach, but once he joined Dortmund, he turned into a regular threat against his former club.
Against AS Monaco in 14 games. Monaco gave him his big break, but since joining PSG, Mbappé has shown no mercy, scoring freely against his old team.
7. Mauro Icardi – 11 goals
bestino / Shutterstock.com
Against Sampdoria in 11 games. Icardi made his name at Samp, but after moving to Inter, he developed a habit of scoring every single time he faced them.
6. Mario Gómez – 11 goals
Fingerhut / Shutterstock.com
Against VfB Stuttgart in 9 games. Stuttgart fans once cheered his goals — but after leaving, Gómez punished them with ruthless efficiency.
5. Luis Muriel – 12 goals
Ettore Griffoni / Shutterstock.com
Against Udinese in 17 games. Muriel has played for several Italian clubs, but none have suffered more at his feet than Udinese.
Against Fiorentina in 29 games. One of Serie A’s true veterans, Quagliarella has scored against just about everyone — but no one more often than Fiorentina.
3. Ciro Immobile – 15 goals
Photo: Marco Iacobucci Epp / Shutterstock.com
Against Genoa in 17 games. Immobile has lit up Serie A for years, and his former club Genoa has been on the receiving end far too often.
2. Harry Kane – 19 goals
Cosmin Iftode / Shutterstock.com
Against Leicester City in 19 games. Kane had a short loan spell at Leicester, but since then, he’s become their ultimate nemesis — averaging a goal a game.
1. Robert Lewandowski – 29 goals
sbonsi / Shutterstock.com
Against Borussia Dortmund in 28 games. Lewandowski didn’t just leave Dortmund — he dominated them. No one has punished their former club more often than him.
