The four-time Ballon d’Or victor was involved in a nasty altercation with opposing player Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for which Messi was lucky to escape the embarrassment of a red card.
Advertisement
The Argentinian superstar, renowned for rarely losing his cool despite regularly being the target of brutal tackling, reacted angrily during a confrontation with Roma’s French worldwide Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.
Ivan Rakitic left no doubt as to the outcome with a 66th minute strike from long range for the 3-0 final.
Neymar opened the scoring in neat fashion on his return to the side after Copa America efforts before Messi doubled the lead shortly after.
Messi has never been sent off for Barcelona, but seemed to retaliate as the two players went head-to-head.
Who is this guy playing for FC Barcelona, and what has he done with Lionel Messi?
“The aim is to keep on the same lines as we were at the end of last season”, Rakitic told reporters.
To Roma’s relief, Barca took their foot off the gas somewhat at the beginning of the second half and a flurry of substitutions disrupted the flow of a match that had been played at a rapid pace.
Advertisement
Following the clash with Sevilla, Barca play Athletic Bilbao home and away in the Spanish Super Cup before they meet Bilbao in their first La Liga game on August 23.
