Lionel Messi Booked for Simulation as he Steered Barcelona Past Borussia Dortmund

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was booked for simulation in the Champions League match against Dortmund on Wednesday.

The Argentine went down inside the box and the referee booked him for diving. Replays showed no contact between Roman Burki and Messi. However, it did not seemed like an intention to deceive the referee and Messi fell down after his foot got planted in the ground.

Messi also never seemed to appeal for a penalty after he fell down, and hence he was surprised when he was shown a yellow card for simulation.

Messi’s yellow card by no means was a reflection of the kind of match he seemed to have. Like many times in his career, Messi steered his team to victory. His goal in the match also meant that he broke another record in his illustrious career.

Messi has now scored a Champions League goal against 34 different opponents- the most by anybody.

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde praised Messi after his record breaking performance in the match.

“Luis and Leo understand each other perfectly because they have been together for a long time. At first it wasn’t like that,” Valverde said as per AS.

“Messi is an extraordinary passer and Griezmann was unmarked as well. You just have to find the timing.

“And of Leo’s match, what am I going to say? It was amazing. It is not only what he does, but when he does it.”

A matter of concern in Wednesday’s victory was that their winger Osumane Dembele’s fitness. He was injured and had to be subbed off in the second half.

Valverde was disappointed for the French international, who has battled numerous injuries since his move to Barca from Dortmund in 2017.

“I don’t know if it’s a relapse or what leg it is. It has been a rare move because it has been in a jump, in which the leg has gone backwards. I don’t know,” he said. “Right now we are sad for him because we are qualified but the bad news is the injury.

“We know he is suffering and we will see if we can help him.”

Match highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WykRRnq7Abo