The first sending off in the history of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday cast a shadow over his club Barcelona losing the title after losing to Athletic Bilbao 3-2 after extra time.
Messi received the red card from the referee after watching the video assistant referee (Farr), his assault without a ball on Bilbao midfielder, Asier Villalibri, in the 120th minute and the last of the second overtime period.
Messi sees red for an off-the-ball swing.
pic.twitter.com/PAW8cm95OR
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 17, 2021
And with Messi receiving a red card for "hitting without a ball", he will likely face a ban of 4 matches in the Spanish League and the King's Cup.
Unreal how Messi not only has the best left foot in the world but also the best right hand… pic.twitter.com/ztBLNaqaiE
- (@FutbolFax) January 17, 2021
Barcelona will play with its neighbors Cornia in the 32nd round of the Copa del Rey in the middle of the week, while it is third in the Spanish League, 7 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two postponed matches.
Villalibri, who caused the Argentine star to receive the first package in his history, said Messi deserves to be sent off because he deliberately hit him in the face with his arm, while trying to legally disrupt his advance towards goal.
He added that what Messi did expresses his impotence and is a blatant aggression against his opponent, and affirmed his team's eligibility for the title for which they fought.