Messi Picks First Barcelona Career’s Red Card
In Super Cup 2-3 defeat to Athletic
Argentina and Barcelona Captain, Lionel Messi was shown the first red card of his Catalans’ career On Sunday after lashing out at an opponent towards the end of their 3-2 loss to Athletic Club in extra time.
Though he has played more than 750 games for the Spanish giants before finally seeing a red card, it was not the first dismissal of his illustrious career
In the closing minutes of the Spanish Super Cup final, Messi played a pass and thereafter took a swing at Asier Villalibre as the Athletic forward ran across his path.
Referee Gil Manzano missed the incident at first but upon a VAR review, he showed Messi a straight red card for violent conduct.
Sadly, it marked the first red card ever received by Messi as a Barcelona player and it came in his 753rd appearance for the Spanish side.
The other red card incidents of his career are dismissals while on international duty for Argentina on two occasions. Famously, these include his international debut, which lasted less than a minute before he was sent off as a substitute.
On that occasion, Messi’s international debut was one to forget. He lasted just 43 seconds on the pitch as part of the Argentina team to face Hungary in 2005. Wanting to see if the 18-year-old had it in him to represent the country at the world, Jose Peckerman, the then national team manager decided to hand him his debut.
Starting from the bench, Messi was thrown into the game as a half-time substitute to replace former Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez. Upon receiving the ball, he set off on one of his trademark runs to make it a debut to remember.
However, that move turned sour as the Argentine was shown a straight red card 43 seconds into his debut for allegedly elbowing defender Vilmos Vanczak.
His other red card came in the 2019 Copa America third-place play-off, when he was sent off while serving as captain of his side. Despite his absence, Argentina went on to win the game by beating Chile 2-1.
However, Sunday’s episode capped another frustrating episode in the Catalans’ season as they were unable to close out the silverware, having twice led in the fast-tempo encounter.
Antoine Griezmann continued his recent revival by finding the net twice only for Oscar de Marcos and Villalibre to reply for the Basques. Indeed, their second equaliser came in the 90th minute of the game. In extra time, Iniaki Williams struck before Messi saw red in the 121st minute.
Messi could now face at least a four-game ban for his actions, depending on a review from the Spanish FA.
That means at minimum the Argentine could miss his side’s Copa del Rey tie against Cornella on Thursday, and La Liga matches against Elche, Athletic Club and Real Betis.
The Catalans are presently third in the Primera Division, though seven points adrift of leaders Atletico Madrid having played two games more. – With Goal.com reports
