Lionel Messi escaped being sent off for violent conduct in Barcelona's defeat by Sevilla on Wednesday - one month after his first red card for the club for punching an opponent.
Messi cut a frustrated figure as Barca lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final and he became involved in a heated off-the-ball incident with Joan Jordan with the forward appearing to elbow his opponent.
The clash happened mid-way through the second half with Jordan bringing Messi down after the Argentine had nut-megged him.
The Sevilla midfielder picked up the ball to prevent Barca from taking a quick free-kick.
Messi rushed over to knock the ball out of Jordan's hands but put his arm across his opponent's face in the process.
The midfielder immediately went down in front of referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz but it was Jordan, not Messi, who was booked by the official.
The Argentine's arm definitely caught the Sevilla man but it is unclear how much contact he actually made.
Goals from Jules Kounde and former Barca man Ivan Rakitic sealed a 2-0 victory for the hosts with the second leg due to take place on February 27.
Messi was sent off for the first time in his Barcelona career last month for hitting out at Athletic Bilbao's Asier Villalibre in the last few minutes of the Spanish Super Cup final - which Barca lost 3-2.
Referee Gil Manzano said in his match report that Messi hit his opponent with 'excessive force' while the ball was not near him.
Despite footage clearly showing Messi lashing out at Villalibre, Barca appealed his two-match ban but their plea was rejected by the Spanish FA.
Koeman backed Messi after his first red card, claiming his reaction was understandable due to the treatment he had received.
'I can understand what Messi did,' the Dutchman said after the match.
'I don't know how many times they fouled him, and it's normal to react when they keep trying to foul you as a player who is looking to dribble with the ball, but I need to see it again properly.'
dakelmyz
1314
to be fair, in his 15 years of career messi received a lot more harsh tackles and the opponents very rarely got red cards also.
ishti
1082
Looks like Messi is in a prison and he is kicking and punching the wall to get out of it.
Diebdlmpr
18
to be fair, in his 15 years of career messi received a lot more harsh tackles and the opponents very rarely got red cards also.
doesn't justify an elbow to the face or getting away widdit
NeonGrace
16
to be fair, in his 15 years of career messi received a lot more harsh tackles and the opponents very rarely got red cards also.
So what ? Every dribbler receives harsh tackels. Some get months of injury for it. You'all Messi fans always find a way to justify crap! He does wrong, the opponent gets booked... His fans find a way to make him appear like the victim. We've seen this countless times , so quit the silly excuses... It's not news how pampered he is in Spain, so this isn't a surprise. He's escaped pushing a ref, kicking the ball at a ref, shoving a player ; all offences others players get red carded for... Tackling is part of the game... And the current generation of players should be thankful coz they are greatly protected compared to the OG players... He should've gotten at least a yellow for that, but instead Jordan took the fall, typical.
AMNAJOTH
12
to be fair, in his 15 years of career messi received a lot more harsh tackles and the opponents very rarely got red cards also.
When we say Messi can't play in EPL, we don't mean he doesn't have the skill or talent, but all these fouls are normal in EPL and the referees don't protect players. Hope you guys understand now and you won't start comparing UCL stats.
NeonGrace
10
to be fair, in his 15 years of career messi received a lot more harsh tackles and the opponents very rarely got red cards also.
And what you said about him receiving red card worthy tackle and the opponent escaping the booking is a FAT LIE... Provide references of such tackles if you can. Especially in this VAR era..