Athletic Bilbao midfielder Villalibre insists Barcelona captain Messi 'hit me in the face'

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·18 January 2021

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Asier Villalibre has detailed the sending off of Barcelona captain Leo Messi during Sunday's Supercopa de Espana final.

Messi was dismissed for the first time as a Barca player when whacking Villalibre off the ball in extra time of Athletic Club's 3-2 victory.

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He said, "It seemed clear to me, I put my body in the way and he got angry, he hit me in the face and I think that it's a clear aggression.

“In the end it's normal, that impotence, that minute. Losing, a player gets frustrated. No worries.

“We don't have to get into controversies, all teams make fouls, the key is not to surrender."