A video of Asier Villalibre's 'highlights' in the Supercopa Final against Barcelona shows exactly why Lionel Messi got himself sent off.
Messi had never been sent off for Barcelona in his whole time at the club, ahead of the Supercopa game against Athletic on the weekend, but the off the ball incident with Villalibre saw the ref send him for an early bath.
Advert
Barca had led the game twice early on but Athletic had comeback to lead 3-2 in the dying minutes of extra time when Messi struck out at the opposition forward.
There were initially reports he could be banned for up to 12 games but the six time Ballon d'Or winner will just miss the two games, which the club have appealed.
In case anyone was wondering what triggered Messi into his piece of foul play a video of Villalibre's game has gone viral, showing the 23-year-old fouling and diving all game.
After the match, manager Ronald Koeman defended his captain's actions. The Barcelona boss said that the 33-year-old had been fouled so many times in the 120 minutes he was frustrated.
Advert
"I can understand what Messi did," the Dutchman said following a loss in his first cup final as manager of the Nou Camp side.
"I don't know how many times they fouled him, and it's normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly."
There were questions before kick off about whether the recently injured six time Ballon d'Or winner was even fit enough to start.
Advert
The former Barca midfielder defended his choice to play the club's all time top scorer, adding, "I think after so many years at the top level, he knows when he can play and when he can't.
"I spoke with him and he said he was fit enough to start the game."
Villalibre, who scored the 90th minute equaliser to take the game into extra time, rubbed salt into the wound of Messi and his teammates after the match, by celebrating with a trumpet solo on the pitch.
Topics: Football News, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Lionel Messi, Spain, Spanish football, La Liga