| VIDEO Lionel Messi received his first red card after 754 games at FC Barcelona. Why it was removed

Lionel Messi, 33, was knocked off the pitch for the first time in 754 games for FC Barcelona after receiving a red card in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, which he lost to Athletic Bilbao, HotNews.ro quoted Mundo Deportivo as saying.

The incident occurred in the 120+1 minute of the Spanish Super Cup final when, frustrated by his and his team’s game, Messi, without the ball, hit an opponent on Villalibre.

After consulting the VAR, referee Jesus Gil Manzano awarded the red card to the Argentine player, who left the field with his head in the ground.

Following this elimination, Lionel Messi will be suspended between two and four stages, the blow applied to Villalibre being an intentional one.

It was Messi’s first “red” in the FC Barcelona shirt, but the footballer was also kicked off the pitch in his career.

Athletic Bilbao won the Spanish Super Cup for the third time, beating FC Barcelona 3-2 in the final at Sevilla after extra time.

PHOTO: EPA