Losing the World Cup final and Copa America final by narrow margins in consecutive years will take its toll on anyone, and Lionel Messi is no different. So in a friendly between Barcelona and Roma, Messi snapped and took his pent-up aggression out on defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

During a stoppage in play, Yanga-Mbiwa appeared to say something to Messi and the two players then pushed their heads together. Messi then put his hand around Yanga-Mbiwa’s throat before they were separated and both shown yellow cards.

https://www.gettyimages.com/
https://www.gettyimages.com/

This is very uncharacteristic behavior from the giggly, Lego-loving Messi we have come to know, but maybe his disappointments with Argentina have caused him to adopt a darker mindset and turn heel. Could this be the start of the Hollywood Leo era?

Tatted up Messi don’t play.

https://www.gettyimages.com/