Lionel Messi shown first red card of Barcelona career after punching opponent in Super Cup final [Watch video]
Athletic Bilbao stunned an error-prone Barcelona on Sunday night, January 17, as they beat Barca 3-2 in extra time to win the Spanish Super Cup.
In a match filled with nerve-racking drama, six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi was shown the first red card of his Barcelona career after he punched an opposing player, as he couldn’t keep a cool head seeing that his team was on the verge of losing the final.
Towards the match end, Messi played a pass and took a swing at Asier Villalibre as the striker came in front of him.
The referee then showed him a straight red card after reviewing the incident on VAR.
It was the first red card Messi has ever received as a Barcelona player, coming in his 753rd appearance for the club.
Antoine Griezmann scored twice only for Oscar de Marcos and Asier Villalibre to reply for the Basques. In extra-time, Iniaki Williams struck before Messi was red-carded, in another humiliating display that will surely see Messi leave the club in disarray.
Athletic who defeated Real Madrid days ago to reach the final, are now Supercopa champions.
