Lionel Messi receives 2-game ban after slapping opponent player (Watch video)

Lionel Messi has been playing for Barcelona, for his entire career, since 2001. He received the first red card of his career on Tuesday after slapping an opponent player, during the Spanish Super Cup final clash. To date, Messi has scored 659 goals in 785 games for the club.

Barcelona's legendary striker and Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi came up with the most dubious act of his career at the club and was handed a red card for the same. As a result, he has now been given a two-match ban for the same.

It all happened on Tuesday when Barca was up against Athletic Bilbao during the Spanish Super Cup final. As the Catalans were trailing 3-2 in the closing stages extra time, Messi swung his arm at opponent striker, Asier Villalibre. Upon being checked by the Video Assistant Referee, he was handed a red card. As Barca lost the game, on-field referee Gil Manzano reckoned that Messi had used excessive force to hit his opponent, while the ball was nowhere near him.

It happened to be his first red card at the club. To date, Messi has played 785 games at Barca, scoring record 659 goals. Meanwhile, the competition's committee also handed him a two-match ban for the same, reports AP.

Initially, he was even staring at a 12-game suspension. However, since the incident did not look as severe, he managed to walk away with just a couple. He is scheduled to miss the Copa del Rey's away tie against Cornellà, followed by the La Liga clash, away to Elche.

Watch the video of the Messi's red card here: