Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti feels Barcelona star Lionel Messi never receives punishment for dissent.
The Italian international was dismissed in the Champions League against Real Madrid for picking up a second yellow card after complaining to the referee but he insists Messi does not receive the same treatment.
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“I got it wrong against Real, but it was a red card out of frustration and sometimes referees could be more tolerant,” Verratti told La Gazzetta dello Sport, in quotes carried by ESPN.
“It was a bad reaction but I didn’t insult anybody, whereas Messi goes around pointing his finger in the referee’s face and doesn’t even get punished.
“But anyway, I need to improve.”
Verratti has also spoken to media to rule out a future move to Barca, insisting he is happy in Paris.
