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Lionel Messi received Barcelona’s first red card in Sunday’s defeat in the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao.
With Barça losing 3-2 to Bilbao in extra time, Messi received his marching orders, after a VAR review, for apparently hitting Asier Villalibre on the head in an incident without the ball.
Messi attacked Villalibre to see red for the third time in his career
Getty Images – Getty
Messi received his marching orders with only a few seconds to play
Before being sent off, Messi had only received two red cards in his professional career while playing for Argentina.
It was another frustrating night for the Barcelona captain, as Bilbao came back twice, including a draw at 90 minutes to take the game into extra time, to lift the Spanish Super Cup.
Messi ended up staying in Barcelona after declaring his intention to leave last summer, but this year he has no contract and it seems certain that he will leave Spain.
The defeat of the Spanish Super Cup further increases the pressure on Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman.
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Messi seems sure that he will leave Barcelona this summer
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 40th minute, before Oscar de Marcos canceled his goal two minutes later.
Griezmann thought he had won it for his team with a goal in the 77th minute, before Villalibre tied in injury time.
Bilbao went ahead three minutes into extra time with an impressive goal to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
And it got worse for Barcelona when Messi received a red card for his moment of insanity in the 121st minute.
Koeman, who missed the chance to win his first trophy with Barcelona as manager, could be fearing dismissal after his latest setback.
Barcelona are also seven points behind LaLiga leaders Atlético de Madrid, as Diego Simeone’s men have two more games than their rivals.
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