7 times Lionel Messi proved that he too can be as dirty as they come

#2 Headbutt on Roma defender (2015)

Soccer - Joan Gamper Trophy - FC Barcelona vs. AS Roma

He was at the centre of controversy in August 2015 when Barcelona faced Roma in a friendly match at Nou Camp. In the 34th minute of the match, Messi got into a physical confrontation with Roma defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Mbiwa leaned in to make contact which subsequently resulted in Messi head-butting the Roma player.

Messi proceeded to wrap his hand around Mbiwa's neck in aggression never previously shown by the Argentine. Referee Javier Estrada Fernandez quickly stepped in to separate the players. Fernandez did not send off the players and just gave them a yellow card. Messi went on to score over five minutes later as Barcelona emerged 3-0 winners.

#1 Red Card on Argentina debut (2005)

Messi was sent off inside 40 seconds of his senior international debut for Argentina in 2005 in a match that the South Americans won 2-1. After coming on in the second half against Hungary, he received the ball past the halfway line and made one of his trademark runs with the ball.

Hungary's Vilmos Vanczak appeared to hold him back which was a clear foul. He smacked Vanczak on the neck with his elbow which resulted in his sending off. He was an 18-year-old rising star who had just been drafted into Barcelona's first team. His road to becoming a legend for his country certainly started on a rough patch.