Genoa TV blunder shows Ruben Amorim instead of new signing Alex Amorim

February 16, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Genoa TV blunder shows Ruben Amorim instead of new signing Alex Amorim

Football fans were treated to one of the season's most unintentionally funny moments after a broadcast mix-up during Genoa's Serie A fixture caused widespread confusion.

Viewers watching the clash between Genoa and Cremonese were left baffled when on-screen graphics appeared to show Ruben Amorim preparing to enter the pitch as a late substitute.

The surprise was understandable as Amorim retired from playing years ago and recently made headlines following his departure from Manchester United.

For several seconds, television audiences believed the former manager was making a shock playing comeback.

The mistaken identity

The reality, however, was far less dramatic - though no less amusing.

The player actually introduced was Alex Amorim, the Brazilian midfielder who recently joined Genoa from Portuguese side Alverca.

Despite sharing a surname with the well-known coach, Alex has no connection to the former United boss.

Due to a graphics error, broadcasters displayed Ruben Amorim's image instead of the debutant's, instantly triggering confusion across social media.

Clips of the blunder quickly circulated on X and TikTok, with fans joking about Amorim swapping the dugout for the pitch.

Alex Amorim estreou-se pelo Genoa e a transmissão televisiva da Serie A utilizou uma foto do... Ruben 😂 pic.twitter.com/5Hq4FescF0
— B24 (@B24PT) February 15, 2026

A viral moment for the wrong reasons

Broadcast mishaps are nothing new in football, but the combination of a recognisable managerial face and an unexpected substitution made this incident particularly memorable.

Supporters watching at home questioned whether they had misread the screen, whilst commentators and fans online swiftly highlighted the mistake.

By the time the graphics were corrected, the clip had already gone viral.

Amorim's actual debut

Whilst the error stole the spotlight, Alex Amorim did manage to make a brief impression after replacing Morten Frendrup late in the match.

The Brazilian nearly contributed an assist, delivering a driven cross towards Caleb Ekuban, whose header narrowly missed the target.

It proved to be one of the game's more dangerous moments in a tightly contested encounter.

Cremonese also came close to snatching victory when Federico Bonazzoli struck the crossbar in the closing stages.

Fans enjoy the lighter side

Despite the embarrassment for broadcasters, many supporters embraced the humour of the situation.

Social feeds filled with memes and playful speculation about Ruben Amorim's fictional playing return.

Such moments highlight the unforgiving nature of modern broadcasts, where even minor technical mistakes can become instant viral content.

Genoa focused on the football

For Genoa, the priority will be ensuring their new signing becomes known for his performances rather than his unusual introduction.

If Alex Amorim can deliver on the pitch in the weeks ahead, fans may soon forget the broadcast blunder - though it is unlikely to disappear entirely from football's catalogue of memorable TV gaffes.

As for Ruben Amorim, he remains out of work and, contrary to what viewers briefly believed, firmly retired from playing.

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