Lionel Messi: 5 Times PSG Superstar Was Football’s ‘Baddest’ Boy

• You would think football star Lionel Messi could do no wrong
• But there is a dark side to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner
• PSG have suspended Messi for taking an unauthorised visit to Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi is still a mortal, and, like the rest of us, isn't perfect after all despite his repeated displays of superhuman powers over the years.

Paris Saint-Germain has suspended the 2022 World Cup winner following his unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, which infuriated club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

You'd think the Argentine maestro cannot do wrong and is a faultless human. But hey, he has a dark side like everyone else.

Messi has won everything there is to win, is tremendously well-known, and is simply too good. Therefore, it would be very interesting to see what would happen if he became the villain.

Lionel Messi suspended and fined by PSG for going on unauthorised trip

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That has become somewhat plausible, thanks to Messi's clandestine family vacation to the Middle East, as PSG is not at all pleased with their star player.

But this isn't the first time he's behaved in an erratic fashion though.

Sports Brief looks at the five times the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has shown his 'bad' side:

Headbutting opponent in friendly game

Messi received a booking in 2015 during a friendly match against Roma for reacting angrily when Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa lost his cool and leaned his head into the World Cup winner.

This behaviour was absolutely out of character for the Argentine phenom.

Not in the least amused, Messi let loose his 'inner dog' and pointed his head in the direction of Mapou before grabbing him by the throat.

First-ever Barcelona red card

Messi received his first and only red card for Barcelona after 520 appearances in the Supercup final in 2021 against Athletic Bilbao.

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With the Catalan giants losing in extra time, the 35-year-old sprinted down the field but was tripped by Bilbao defender Asier Villalibre.

Unhappy with the situation, the Argentina captain reacted by slyly launching a swinging arm in the direction of his marker, earning him a straight red card.

Clash with Louis Van Gaal

Since 2014, there has been animosity between Messi and Louis van Gaal, and it always seems to resurface when the two are in close proximity.

Messi and the Dutch tactician argued during the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands.

That came after the reining FIFA the Best Player had scored the game's first goal and ran over to Van Gaal to celebrate by cupping his ears in front of him.

It was spectacular viewing for a man who is usually quiet.

Feud with Wout Weghorst

Messi and Wout Weghorst were at odds on the field during the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal, but the feud continued even after Argentina advanced to the semifinals.

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Messi was giving a post-game interview when he suddenly stopped, turned to face the camera, and focused on Weghorst, before saying:

“What are you looking at, bobo [fool]?”

Tax fraud

Messi, along with his father Jorge, was found guilty of defrauding Spain of €4.1m between 2007 and 2009.

His father's 15-month sentence was replaced with a €180,000 fine. The pair had been found guilty of using tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.

As well as the suspended jail terms, the Argentina international was fined about €2m and his father €1.5m. They made a voluntary €5m "corrective payment", equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest, in August 2013.