Lionel Messi was sent off for first time ever in his FC Barcelona career on Sunday as his team was beaten 3-2 by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup final. Messi hit out at Asier Villalibre at the 120th minute of the match as Barcelona attacked in search of a late equalizer. This was the first red card of Messi’s club career. He has been sent off on two previous occasions, but both time in international matches against Hungary in 2005 and Chile in 2019.
Messi could now be banned for a minimum of four domestic games, with Super Cup suspensions carrying over to league and cup matches. Messi’s manager, Ronald Koeman, defended him after the game, saying he likely lashed out because Bilbao players kept fouling him all match.
Barcelona took the lead in Super Cup final in the 40th minute through Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, however Bilbao levelled just two minutes later courtesy of a rare goal from full-back Oscar de Marcos. Griezmann put Barcelona ahead again in the 70th minute, before Villalibre equalized in the final minute to take the tie to extra time.
Messi has been playing for Barcelona for 17 years, but coming summer Messi will be a free agent, with his contract expiring this year. Even on a free transfer, only a few clubs can afford his salary. The Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City and Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) can defy the Covid-forced economic odds. Also, Pep Guardiola’s presence at City and Mauricio Pochettino at PSG make the two clubs runaway favorites to go for the world’s best footballer, should Messi decide to take the Camp Nou exit.
