Lionel Messi Wins Penalty Against Sevilla, Gives It To Philippe Coutinho

Lionel Messi produced another selfless gesture tonight when he allowed Philippe Coutinho to take a penalty that he won for Barcelona against Sevilla.

The Brazilian has been having a tough time of late and Messi helped him restore his confidence by letting him take the early spot-kick in the Copa Del Rey quarter final second leg.

Having experienced a real dip in form, Coutinho needed a goal and Messi proved just why he is Barca's captain and talisman by giving him the perfect opportunity to get on the scoresheet.

Barca's record signing made no mistake from the spot, putting the Blaugrana 1-0 up on the night and then adding a second in the 6-1 win which sent the La Liga winners into the semi-finals of the cup.

It's the second time this season that Messi has let a teammate assume penalty-taking duties when he did not need to.

In September, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner struck twice in the 8-2 thumping of Huesca but elected to let Suarez join him on a brace for the game even though the Argentine could have scored his 31st La Liga hat-trick.

Topics: Football News, Coutinho, FC Barcelona, Football, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Messi, Lionel Messi, Penalty, Copa del Rey, Sevilla

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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