Lionel Messi given two-match suspension following Supercopa red

Barcelona
captain Lionel Messi was on Tuesday handed a two-match ban following his first-ever
red card in his club career during the Supercopa de Espana final loss to Athletic Bilbao.

The
Argentinian ace was given his marching orders in the dying embers of the 3-2, extra
time defeat on Sunday, after lashing out at Asier Vellalibre, which was adjudged
as violent conduct.

Having twice received a red card for
Argentina, Messi had never previously been sent off in 16 years and 753 appearances
for Barca, AFP reported. He was shown a straight red within a minute of his
Argentina debut as an 18-year-old in 2005 in a friendly against Hungary. His received
his second red during the 2019 Copa America.

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed Messi’s ban, with Barca later stating they will appeal the sanction on their star player.

Messi recovered from a thigh niggle to start in Seville and was played the entire 120 minutes as Barca attempted to take the
game to penalties.

Instead, the 33-year-old lost his temper at
the end of a combative contest, reacting to a late challenge from Villalibre by
swiping his hands across the back of his opponent.

Messi was red-carded 15
years ago for Barca but it was with the reserves in a third division match,
according to Spanish statistician Alexis Martin-Tamayo.

Messi would miss games against third-tier
Cornella away in the Copa del Rey on Thursday and Elche on Sunday in La Liga.