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#3 Lionel Messi
Many professional footballers have openly stated that nothing compares to representing their country. Lionel Messi is known for scintillating displays on the football pitch and his highly efficient goal-scoring ability. For a player who has scored over 600 career goals on top of admirable records, it is almost impossible to find any flaw.
However, on August 17, 2005, Messi (then aged 18) was sent off in a friendly match against Hungary. This occurred in his much anticipated senior debut following an impressive run in their FIFA World Youth Championship in June 2005.
Senior team manager Jose Pekerman brought on Messi in the second half to bolster the attack. In the 63rd minute, Messi made one of his trademark runs and was pulled back by Vilmos Vanczak.
In the process of trying to shrug off the defender, he smacked him clean on the face which resulted in the sending off just two minutes into his debut. Regardless, the incident did not deter the Argentine from evolving into the football genius he is today.
