Who is this guy playing for FC Barcelona, and what has he done with Lionel Messi?
Messi appeared to lose his cool Wednesday in Barcelona’s exhibition game against Italian club AS Roma. Messi choked then headbutted Roma defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in the 35th minute of the preseason outing.
We’re not sure what led up to the altercation, but it’s safe to say Messi’s lucky he snapped in the Joan Gamper Trophy — an annual exhibition game his own team hosts. Messi might have received a red card and a lengthy ban had he behaved this way in a competitive game. Then again, he might have escaped serious sanction, given his status in the game.
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Barcelona-Roma marked Messi’s first preseason action, and the Argentinian superstar scored just seven minutes after his altercation with Yanga-Mbiwa.
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Good thing it didn’t take long for Messi’s better nature to return.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@fcbneymxr
