'exceptional'. In this sense, he is often compared in terms of modern-day footballers to counterparts such as Lionel Messi. Overall, in 703 matches for Austria Vienna he scored 600 goals and In 2001 was named in their Team of the Century. Sindelar was arguably one of Europe's best and, in scope, most influential footballers of his generation, recognized for his ball control, passing and dribbling, and especially his creativity. There are anecdotal claims that some fans went attended Sindelar's games not only to see him play, but to get a better understanding of how football 'should' be played. In 1938 he appeared as himself in the Austrian film Roxy and the Wonderteam. International career Austria national team From 1926 to 1937, Sindelar was capped 43 times for his country, scoring 26 goals. He scored four goals in his first three international matches, including one in his debut match, a 2–1 victory over Czechoslovakia on 28 September 1926. Sindelar became an essential part of the Austrian Wunderteam that was coached by Hugo Meisl, until the two later had a falling out. Writer David Goldblatt described the events: He made his international debut in 1926 and played well before falling out of favour with the disciplinarian Meisl. Four years in the international wilderness followed until Meisl was cornered by a gathering of the city's leading football commentators as he sat in the Ring Café in 1931. Everyone was arguing for Sindelar's recall and Meisl changed his mind. Sindelar played. Scotland were beaten and the Wunderteam – already disciplined, organized, hardworking and professional – acquired their playmaker and inspiration, that vital spark of unpredictability. 1927-30 Central European International Cup while Austria had not quite earned the monicher of Wunderteam yet, a young Sindelar helped them to their first major international tournament performance, being a part of the squad that made Runners-up in the Central European International Cup. 1931-32 Central European International Cup The Wunderteam started by winning the Central European International Cup: 1931–32, Sindelar scoring 4 goals to help Austria win its first and so far only international Trophy. 1933-35 Central European International Cup This time around The Wunderteam finished as Runners-up. Sindelar scoring 3 goals to make him Austria's all-time top goalscorer at the Central European International Cup. 1934 World Cup Sindelar and Austria made the whole their stage at the 1934 World Cup, where they truly earned their nickname of the