Why Messi was shown red: "hitting an apponent" with "excessive force"

Leo Messi was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons in the final of the Spanish Super Cup. The Argentine had a bad game that ended with the first red of his Barcelona career (he had been sent off twice with Argentina).

That red could mean a 12 game ban for the player, but everything indicates that it will be 2.

At least that can be understood from referee Gil Manzano's match report, who explained the red Messi got after a passage of play that was reviewed by VAR.

"In the 120th minute, player (10) Messi Cuccittini, Lionel Andres was sent off for the following reason: Hitting an opponent with his arm using excessive force while the ball was in play but not within playing distance", it read.

In this way, if it is only a 2 game ban, Leo Messi would only miss the Copa del Rey match against Cornellà and the next league game against Elche.