Spanish champions, Barcelona defeated Italian side, AS Roma 3-0 on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 in a pre-season friendly at Nou Camp. That didn’t make the headlines however but Lionel Messi’s altercation with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa did.
The Argentine soccer legend appeared to had headbutted the French international after both players were entangled in a heated argument. Yanga-Mbiwa had stuck his head into that of the 28-year-old Barca star and in retaliation, Messi gave him what appeared to be a slight head butt and then went for the 26-year-old’s throat.
Surprisingly, the referee chose not to send off both players both flashed yellow cards at them. Messi had the last smile however as just before half time, he went on to score Barca’s second goal of the match.
Messi has never been red carded in a Barcelona jersey.
