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How Many Red Cards Has Lionel Messi Got In His Career?

How Many Red Cards Has Lionel Messi Got In His Career?

Lionel Messi is famed for his sportsmanship in games, but does he do enough to stay out of the referee's book?

Robert Mann

Robert Mann

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is famed for his sportsmanship in games, but does he do enough to stay out of the referee's book?

Like many athletes and fierce competitors, it should come as no surprise when tempers spill over on occasion or when things aren't going their way on the pitch.

As for Messi, well, he was controversially sent off in Argentina's Copa America third-place play-off victory against Chile in 2019. Incredibly, it was his first time seeing red in 14 years.

Lionel Messi was shown his first red card for Barcelona after he lashed out in the Super Cup final in 2021
Lionel Messi was shown his first red card for Barcelona after he lashed out in the Super Cup final in 2021

Messi or Ronaldo? That is the question that has dominated football since they stamped their authority on the game nearly two decades ago.

But just how exactly does the Barca forward measure up to his arch-rival when it comes to crossing the officials?

Ronaldo's red card record is much more damning than that of the Argentine, with the Portuguese phenomenon receiving 11 reds, compared to Messi's three.

Messi's first red card came on his Argentina debut against Hungary in 2005.

His international bow ended after just two minutes when the then 18-year-old was deemed to have struck Vilmos Vanczak - who was pulling the attacker's shirt.

Messi, who has featured in 520 games for Barcelona, was shown his first red card for the Catalan club after he lashed out in the Super Cup final in 2021.

With Barca trailing 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao in extra time, Messi was shown a red card, following a VAR review, for appearing to hit Asier Villalibre on the head in an off the ball incident.

On the face of it, Messi's hat-trick of red cards over the course of a staggering 726 games for both club and country is pretty good going, isn't it?

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Argentina