Lionel Messi has shocked the world by receiving a straight red card for the first time in his Barcelona career. The violent conduct was spotted on VAR before Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano sent him off. Even news outlets were dazed at the first-ever red card Messi got in his career for violating the game rules.
It was the Super Cup final and Messi’s 753rd appearance for Barcelona’s A team. Catalans were lagging behind 2-3 against Athletic Bilbao as the clock ticked towards the end. The frustrations eventually got the best of Leo, and Barca lost the trophy to Bilbao.
Red Card Messi Got For Slapping Athletic Bilbao Player
The match was heating up by the second as Barcelona kept leading by 2 goals scored by Antoine Griezmann, whereas Athletic Bilbao netted only once through Oscar de Marcos. Bilbao came back fiercely in the stoppage time when Asier Villalibre and Inaki Williams scored within 3 minutes.
When Asier Villalibre blocked Messi’s goal-bound effort, VAR captured a desperate action. It looked like Messi slapped Villalibre away to free himself in receiving Griezemann’s cross from left wing.
The coach, Ronald Koeman said that he understood Messi’s unfair challenge. He claimed that Bilbao players fouled Messi constantly, which could have made anybody furious. Many fans have also forgiven this red card Messi received last night. However, Bilbao got away with the Super Cup trophy.
Previous Incidents
The captain of the Catalan giants has been mostly cool throughout his football career. Recent events have shown the first red card Messi received in Barcelona’s career but it was not his first in total. The Argentine has been dismissed 3 times in the past.
The first time, he got red while playing in the B team of Barcelona in 2005 against Pena Sport. In the same year, he was sent off in his Argentina debut against Hungry. Then he received another red card with Argentina after 14 years against Chile.
The latest red card Messi got will of lead him to face a ban for multiple games.
Leo Messi To Miss Copa del Rey Match
Reportedly, the captain will face a ban of up to four games for this incident, if authorities declare it as deliberate aggression. Otherwise, the reports confirmed that he will definitely miss the next Barcelona game against Cornella for the Copa del Rey competition. There is also a rumor that the world-class player might also leave Barcelona soon.
Griezmann who scored twice last night was furious about the incident. Villalibre, the player who Messi lashed out at requested to not start up any controversy on this matter. He further added that it is a physical game, and when the team is unable to do anything about winning then the frustration is understandable.
