Checkout what Lionel Messi did to the match officials after Barcelona's draw against Girona (photos)

Checkout what Lionel Messi did to the match officials after Barcelona's draw against Girona (photos)

A visibly angry Lionel Messi refused to shake the referee's hand as Barcelona were forced to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Girona side to end the Catalans perfect start to the season.
Messi, despite finding the net for the fifth time this season was left a frustrated figure at the end of the game and he let his feelings towards referee Jesus Gil Manzano known.

The talking point in the game came in the 35th minute when Barca defender Clement Lenglet was shown a straight red card for an apparent elbow after the referees consulted with the VAR.

Barca were leading 1-0 at the time, but Girona were a rejuvenated side with the one-man advantage and at the stroke of half time, talisman Cristian Stuani levelled for the away side.

Stuani was once again on target six minutes into the second half and despite Gerard Pique's header levelling matters once again in the 63rd minute, Barcelona were forced to a draw at the Nou Camp for the first time this season.

It was not a result Messi fancied very much as after the game, whilst captains are traditionally expected to shake hands with match officials, the Argentine snubbed the ref in an open show of disapproval of key decisions in the match.

Speaking on the surprise draw at home, managed Ernesto Valverde said what the whole Barca team were thinking - that their team had luck against them since Lenglet's red card.
"It handicapped us, we had bad luck to concede just before the end of the first half. We couldn't come back. I haven't seen the incident on the television, there's a clear collision and it seems that there's an elbow. It's the first sending off where the player fouled apologises." he said.

With arch rivals Real Madrid sneaking past Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday, September 22, Barcelona now find themselves level on points with Los Blancos, although they top the standings on goal difference.

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