FC Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has been hit with a two-game ban.
The Argentine superstar was slapped with the suspension following the red card he picked up in Barça’s Supercopa Espana defeat to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday (January 17).
Messi swung a punch at Athletic Bilbao striker Asier Villalibre during the heated contest and was promptly dismissed. His ban could have ranged anywhere between two and 12 matches – although fewer than four was always the most likely outcome.
Barcelona news had focused on the club appealing the length of the ban if it was three or more games, as per Marca, but that will no longer be necessary.
Messi will sit out this week’s Copa del Rey clash against Segunda B outfit Cornella while he will also miss the league trip to struggling Elche next weekend. He will return to the fold for the subsequent La Liga match, ironically against Athletic Bilbao.
It was the player’s first red card for the Blaugrana in his 753rd appearance for the club.
