Almighty Messi finally breaks!!!

Lionel Messi narrowly escaped being sent off after headbutting Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa as Barcelona's friendly with Roma became anything but friendly on Wednesday night.

Roma knew they were in for a frustrating evening at the Nou Camp chasing the shadows of the European champions and after going 1-0 down to Neymar's opener, French international Mapou lost his temper with Messi leaning his head in towards the Barcelona No 10 and making clear contact.

Messi responded by butting the French defender and grabbing him by the throat. The Spanish referee Javier Estrada Fernandez could easily have sent both players off - Mapou for the original aggression and Messi for the retaliation but instead showed the pair yellow cards and the game continued 11 against 11.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi (right) launched an astonishing headbutt at Roma defender
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

The Argentine No 10 squared up to the former Montpellier and Newcastle United centre half
as they initially touched foreheads

The irritated Barca team captain on the day then aggressively threw his head downwards into
Yanga-Mbiwa's face

The 28-year-old then grabbed the towering 26-year-old France international by the neck with his hands

Roma's Brazilian defender Leandro Castan (centre) and Spanish referee Javier Estrada Fernandez then attempted to separate the pair

• • was hat 

Messi then scored just seven minutes after the 34th minute altercation, in which both players were booked

Neymar picked up the ecstatic goalscorer Messi as the Nou Camp crowd started the party before the upcoming La Liga season