Watch: Did Messi deserve red card for headbutt?

Lionel-Messi;-Barcelona;-AS-Roma

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, right, and Roma’s Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa get involved in a scuffle during the Joan Gamper trophy soccer match between FC Barcelona and AS Roma. (Francisco Seco/AP)

Barcelona came out on top at Camp Nou Wednesday with a 3-0 friendly win over Italian side A.S. Roma, but it wasn’t without some controversy.

In the 34th minute with Barcelona leading by a goal, Lionel Messi appeared to headbutt Frenchman Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and then grabbed the defender by the throat.

The Argentine superstar avoided a red card, but both Messi and Yanga-Mbiwa were given yellows by the referee.

Messi went on to score a goal in the 41st minute before being substituted off at the one-hour mark.

The 28-year-old has never been shown a red card while with Barcelona, and has only been sent off once in his career while playing his international debut for Argentina.

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