6 interesting things you didn't know about Paula Dybala including the reason behind his mask celebration

#6 Like Lionel Messi, Dybala had a national team full debut to forget

Paulo Dybala in tears after getting sent off in his first start for Argentina

We all know Lionel Messi was sent off within seconds of making his La Albiceleste debut back in 2005 but almost 11 years later Paulo Dybala faced a similar situation. In a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay – which also marked the return of Messi from retirement – Dybala, making his first start for his country, was sent off towards the end of the first half.

The Argentine was booked first in the 29^th minute and then in the 45^th minute. The then 22-year-old Dybala immediately broke into tears and was inconsolable as he trudged off the pitch. It took some calming words from the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner to help Dybala get over the setback.

Speaking about the incident he had said: "Leo Messi told me to be calm, that these things happen, that it was not my fault but the referee's. I felt good, comfortable playing with Messi. We had spoken in training about how I was going to play, depending where Leo was positioned, I would change with him. If he was in the middle.“