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| Messi (middle) is leaving the stadium for a dismissal. /AFPBBNews=News1 |
Lionel Messi (34, Barcelona) was sent off for the first time in his club career. Losing his composure and directing him to hit the opponent, he left the possibility of further discipline.
Messi competed in the final of the 2020-2021 Spanish Supercopa (Super Cup) against Athletic Bilbao in Seville, Spain on the 18th (Korean time), but was sent off for extra time in the second half of the overtime without raising attack points.
The situation was like this. In the second half of the 19th minute of overtime, behind by 2-3, Messi acted aggressively in the process of removing the defense of opponent striker Asier Villalibre (24) in a counterattack. It depends on the viewing angle, but it is a scene where you hit the nape of the neck. The referee handed out a red card to Messi through VAR.
It was Messi’s first exit in Barcelona’s career since his 2004 debut. In terms of games, it is only 753 games. In an Argentinean uniform, he was sent off in Brazil in June 2019 in the 3rd place match between Chile and Copa America, but he never received a red card in Barcelona.
Barcelona was also defeated by Bilbao. The game went into overtime after scoring a goal to Villalibre in the 45th minute ahead of 2-1, and the goal was dedicated to Inaki Williams in the 3rd minute of the first half and withdrew. Antoine Grizzman scored two goals in a fight, but ended in runner-up.
Marca said, “Messi may not be able to compete in a maximum of four games depending on whether or not a disciplinary committee will be held in the future. At least two games are automatically suspended once they are sent off. It is applied in the competition,” he said.
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| Messi (right) is looking at the condition of the fallen Villalibre (left). /AFPBBNews=News1 |