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Lionel Messi Shown Ridiculous Red Card for Phantom Headbutt on Chile Midfielder Gary Medel

Argentina captain Lionel Messi was controversially sent off in his country's Copa America third-place playoff clash with Chile after clashing with Gary Medel.

The pair came to blows late in the first-half of the bronze medal decider when the Barcelona superstar took offence to a forceful shove from his opponent, with the two players' teammates getting involved in the scuffle.

Despite Messi and Medel both receiving their marching orders, it is unclear whether the Argentine's actions warranted a dismissal.

With Argentina leading 2-0, a long ball from deep in the Albiceleste half floated harmlessly over the Chilean goal-line despite the efforts of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who was sized up by Medel as he walked back onto the pitch.