It took Lionel Messi just 40 seconds to be sent off the day he made his debut with the Argentina team. An elbow to the Hungarian Vanczák, as he tried to escape from the Magyar player’s grip, caused his first red on August 17, 2005 in Budapest. With Barça he only arrived at his 753rd game … And in a play that is not the same, but shows a certain similarity to that of more than 15 years ago.
Messi was tired of flagging, at times not legally, the Athletic defenders and Barça desperate for a tie in the Super Cup final in any way for Villalibre’s grip, he responded by giving a clear slap. Although the referee went to consult the game with the VAR monitor, the aggression of the Barça captain seemed obvious and led to a red card preventing the end of the game … and that could have consequences for the player.
Leo had suffered only two evictions in his career. After the one in Hungary, the ’10’ saw the red card for a brawl with Chilean Gary Medel, in the first half of the match for third place in the 2019 Copa América, when he fared poorly with the Reds defender in a game full of nerves …
Of so many nerves like this Sunday, in which Messi, who resurfaced after not playing the semi-final against Real Sociedad, tried to lead Barça as best he could, never hidden, looking for the lead, finishing the ball that ended on a rival in the 1-0 of Griezmann and that combined in a good way with his teammates, although the physical was not always along.
Messi, who had already lost the cup final against Valencia at Villamarín, was again without a title in Sevilla … And besides, he was suspended in a move that will cause a sanction that could take its toll on the Barça team.