He broke down. Lionel Messi, superstar and captain of FC Barcelona, was excluded a few seconds before the end of extra time in the final of the Spanish Supercup lost 3-2 to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in Seville, a nasty gesture on Asier Villalibre earning him a direct red card. A few seconds before the final whistle, Messi slapped Basque striker Asier Villalibre with his right hand, after the two players hung on.
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The referee, Gil Manzano, went to watch the action on the video screen, then returned to the pitch to send a direct red card to Lionel Messi.
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A historical fact for Barça and for the six-fold Ballon d’Or: this is the first exclusion from Messi’s career in an official match with Barça (he has already been excluded twice with the Argentine selection). According to Spanish statistician Alexis Martin-Tamayo, Messi was last ruled out with the Blaugrana shirt fifteen years ago, but it was during a Spanish 3rd division match, between Pena Sport and reserve team of FC Barcelona.
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Messi, historical significance and repercussions of an unprecedented red
