Lionel Messi made his Argentina national team debut 20 years ago today.
On August 17, 2005, the Argentina national team won 2-1 in a friendly match against Hungary. Maxi Rodríguez and Gabriel Heinze were the two goal scorers for José Pékerman’s team.
The 2005 U20 World Cup have just finished with Argentina winning and 18 year old Lionel Messi stealing the show by being named as the tournament’s best player and top scorer. José Pékerman called Messi up to the Argentina national team and would include him in the team.
Lisandro López was substituted out for Messi but it was not the debut he was hoping to have with his country. Only 47 seconds later, Messi was red carded after having swung his arm backwards towards a Hungarian player while on the ball.
Argentina players on the pitch protested but the red card stood and Messi was sent off. His next match with Argentina came on September 3 against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier.
With the Argentina national team, Messi has become the team’s all time top goal scorer with 112 goals and has gone on to captain Argentina, winning the World Cup, a Finalissima and back to back Copa America trophies.
