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Fans Have Compared Lionel Messi's Touch On Referee To Cristiano Ronaldo's

Fans Have Compared Lionel Messi's Touch On Referee To Cristiano Ronaldo's

Double standards or paranoia?

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Some fans have called double standards after Lionel Messi laid a hand on referee Damir Skomina in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Juventus at the Nou Camp last night.

Messi was at his imperious best, scoring twice and managing to beat Gianluigi Buffon for the first time in his career as Ernesto Valverde's side started their Champions League campaign in convincing fashion.

But the five-time Ballon d'Or winner got himself in a spot of bother in the second half when he went into the referee's book.

Image: PA

The Argentine waved an imaginary yellow card at the referee to suggest Juventus Miralem Pjanic should have received a yellow card for his challenge.

After being cautioned, Messi put his hand and touched the Slovenian referee Skromina on the shoulder, which has infuriated many (mainly Real Madrid fans).

It stems from the fact that only last month Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a five-game ban for shoving Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after receiving a second yellow card for diving in the Spanish Super Cup first leg win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Do Messi's actions warrant the same punishment as Ronaldo or is it just paranoia kicking in?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo