Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off during the ongoing World Cup qualifiers between where his side lost 2-0 against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. The Al Nassr striker was initially given a Yellow by referee Glenn Nyberg before it was upgraded to a Red card. This came after the Saudi League star clashed with Dara O'Shea, hitting his elbow into the defender's back.
This was the first time he had received a Red Card in his entire international career, where he made 226 appearances. However, the former Real Madrid icon has been sent off 13 times on a club level. While it was his first, fans are curious to know the number of Red cards his rival, Lionel Messi, has received so far. Let us have a look.
How many Red cards has Lionel Messi received with Argentina?
Lionel Messi has received three Red cards in his entire career, two of which came with Argentina. The first time he was sent off following a red card was in 2005 when he was 18 years old. It was during his Argentina debut in a friendly match against Hungary. Coming off the bench in the 63rd minute, the Inter Miami star was pulled by Vilmos Vanczak, after which, the former FC Barcelona icon threw an elbow and was booked soon after.
Messi’s second Red was while he was playing for his national side against Chile in the 2019 Copa America in in third-place match. The forward was booked when, in the 32nd minute of the game, following a not-so-serious confrontation with the opponent’s Gary Medel.
Red cards Lionel Messi has received with FC Barcelona, Inter Miami, and more?
Messi has been booked only once with his club. The Argentine’s one of the three overall Red cards he has received was with FC Barcelona. The card came during a Spanish Supercup final match against Athletic Bilbao, when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was bumped by striker Asier Villalibre. The 2022 World Cup winner retaliated by hitting the opponent over the head, following which, he fell. This incident caused him to receive his only Red card with the club, by referee Gil Manzano.