Lionel Messi received his first red card in a Barcelona shirt yesterday. This is the third red card of his career after getting sent off on two occasions while on Argentina duty, the first coming on his debut.
However, Naijawide, the Home of Entertainment has sought to examine the incident. Although yesterday’s sending off for the South American was deserved, could he be the most protected player in the game’s history? There are more than enough proofs to back how Lionel Messi has gotten away with several offences that would have been a red card on any day for any other player.
Before going into individual occurrences, mentioning the players, take a look at the video below. Do you think the Blaugrana star should have been sent off before yesterday as his side threw away their lead to lose the Spanish Club to Athletic Bilbao?
Frustration in a game of football happens, but players are meant to be able to control them. However, over the years, especially in his more than 750 games for Barcelona, he has escaped punishments for glaring incidents. Perhaps due to his influence in Spain?
Let us look at occasions when Lionel Messi should have received his marching orders with a red card but was left on the pitch.
Lionel Messi
vs Joao Felix
Joao Felix vs Lionel Messi.
Things got heated between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid 👊pic.twitter.com/h2Twn05WfK
— Goal (@goal) January 9, 2020
vs Sergio Ramos
Lionel Messi vs Sergio Ramos FIGHT! El Clasico Real Madrid vs Barcelona 0-1 /2019/03/round-rock-takes-steps-to-approve-new.html#vTQ1GqFTyW4 #Miguel Bosé pic.twitter.com/T2YP9uag3P
— El_CHIBAK (@El_CHIBAK) March 3, 2019
vs Edinson Cavani
Play nicely boys!
Lionel Messi and Edinson Cavani don't seem to realise Argentina vs Uruguay is only a friendly… pic.twitter.com/e04gTCVqwp
— sportingbet UK (@Sportingbet_com) November 18, 2019
Me importa muy poco el fútbol, la selección, la Copa América, Messi y Diego Latorre… pero cada vez que dicen que el Var va a revisar la jugada me los imagino a ellos. Ojalá la Conmebol los tenga en cuenta para la próxima. pic.twitter.com/rUUvlDO3bW
— Te Lo Resumo🥑 (@teloresumo) July 6, 2019
vs James Milner
Lionel Messi vs James Milner
The battle we didn't know we needed 🙌 pic.twitter.com/5podYn7WIp
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 1, 2019
vs Darijo Srna
Lionel Messi escaped a red card when he pushed and shoved the head of Darijo Srna in their 2009 UEFA Super Cup tie.
vs Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
La pelea entre Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa y Lionel Messi en el Barcelona vs Roma. Es muy raro ver así al argentino Foto: #AFPpic.twitter.com/lZPtknTlxA
— alberto_barboza (@alberto_barboza) August 5, 2015
vs Ronald Raldes
Messi reacted angrily after he was blocked from the ball by pushing Ronald Raldes during a Copa America group stage match against Uruguay, but he escaped a red card.
