FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi headbutted AS Roma defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa after an altercation between the two in the Joan Gamper trophy at the Camp Nou yesterday night.
The Blaugrana comfortably beat Roma 3-0 courtesy of goals from Neymar, Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic. However, it was not Rakitic’s rocket or Messi’s deft finish that made the headlines, but an unlikely Lionel Messi headbutt on French defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa that broke the internet.
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The Argentine striker considered by many to be the best in the world, was involved in an altercation with former Newcastle United defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. In an unfortunate turn of events, the usually uber-cool Messi lost his temper after exchanging some heated words with the French defender. The diminutive Argentine headbutted Mbiwa and followed it with a choke-hold. However, the Barcelona superstar miraculously escaped a red-card as both the defender and him were shown yellow cards.
Last night’s unfortunate events brought back memories of the infamous Zinedine Zidane headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup finals, with fans on Twitter going as far as comparing the two incidents. Anything that involves Lionel Messi is ought to receive gargantuan response from fans and detractors alike, and this headbutt was no different.
Here are some of the best tweets following the Lionel Messi headbutt:
Can Messi headbutt opponents like Zidane? Let’s see his trial pic.twitter.com/OwXS7IC5Y6
a Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 5, 2015
Yo #Messi, Imma let you finish but Zidane had one of the best headbutts of all time! a Dorina Arellano (@evildorina) August 5, 2015
Losing the World Cup and Copa America finals in consecutive years has driven Lionel Messi to the dark side http://t.co/sQkWD5RvYI
a Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) August 5, 2015
Today Lionel Messi tried to headbutt and choke someone during a friendly, and Luis Suarez acted as peacemaker. #TheEndTimesDothApproach a Paul Kedrosky (@pkedrosky) August 5, 2015
Image the uproar if Ronaldo did what Messi did tonight.” Good job we don’t have to “imagine” isn’t it… pic.twitter.com/gPdadTskfh
a Football Battles (@FootbaIIBattIes) August 5, 2015
Messi fanboys out in droves after that comment. Butt-hurt & crying cos someone doesn’t like their hero. Worse than One Direction fans. a Busby MUFC (@BusbyMUFC) August 5, 2015
That moment when you tell Messi you voted Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or… https://t.co/I6vk4HkY9q
a TheFootballRepublic (@TheFootballRep) August 5, 2015
Messi still angry after that Higuain miss. a Rafael HernA?ndez (@RafaelH117) August 5, 2015
Messi’s 45 minutes; 1 goal 1 headbutt 1 chokehold 1 yellow card Our boy is back! ?Y S?Y??
a Chef (@champ_ian) August 5, 2015
Messi didn’t get sent off for the headbutt because the ref must’ve been dumbfounded Messi could headbutt someone. He’s a pipsqueak. a Benjamin Willszai (@BenjaminWillsSJ) August 5, 2015
After 11 years of being kicked, tripped, grabbed, elbowed, shoved and body-checked, Lionel Messi appears to finally be Fed Up
a dylan (@clrkd) August 5, 2015
You know you’re really mad when Luis Suarez comes to calm you down. #Messi a Julian (@FCBJulian) August 6, 2015