Lionel Messi Head-Butted a Roma Defender

Lionel Messi flashed some atypical chippiness during Barcelona’s 3-0 victory Roma in the Joan Gamper Trophy match Wednesday afternoon in Spain. Messi got in the face of Roma defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa during the first half and headbutted him. The best player in the world then put his hand around the French defender’s neck before the referee intervened.

For whatever it’s worth, this Vine of the incident is closing in on two million loops in just about an hour or so.

Messi only received a yellow card.

It’s hard to think of Messi even losing his cool quite like this before. Messi did get a red card in his debut for Argentina back in 2005 vs. Hungary shortly after coming on as a sub. That appears to be the only time he’s been sent off as a professional.

[Feature image via Getty]