The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had a bad start to the season. Having publicly announced his intention to leave the club in the summer. He was ultimately forced to stay against his will.
Leo Messi was lucky not to receive his marching orders
Barcelona superstar Leo Messi should have been sent off against Alaves on Saturday, former official Juan Andujar Oliver said. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had a bad start to the season. Having publicly announced his intention to leave the club in the summer. He was ultimately forced to stay against his will. While president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the source of much of his disappointment, stood down last week, things are still tough for the Catalans. Under new head coach Ronald Kuman, they had some slow progress in the LaLiga and were led to a 1-1 draw against Alaves on Saturday. Shortly after Luis Roja scored the opening goal for the home side. Leo Messi acted in a frustrated manner to a decision given against his side. And Oliver believes he was lucky not to receive his marching orders after for kicking the ball in an angry lunge.
Messi wanted to intimidate the referee
“He should have been sent off. Even though the ball missed the referee, Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez,” Andujar Oliver told reporters about the incident. “With this action, he wanted to intimidate the referee, and it deserves a straight red”. Instead, it was Alaves who were ultimately reduced to 10 men when Jota was sent off 62 minutes on the clock. Seconds later, Barcelona equalized through Antoine Griezmann’s first goal of the season, although they were unable to find a winner. With Real Madrid defeating Huesca early in the day, Barcelona were eight points off the pace of the league leaders going into Sunday’s fixtures. Albeit playing less game than their great rivals.
Boasting just two wins from his six league matches to date this season – plus two draws. The pressure is already mounting on Keeman. He is expected to take off the Spanish title from Real Madrid after being allowed a decent slip away under the guidance of Quique Setien in last season. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s next challenge is the Champions League home match against Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.