Marco Verratti: 'Lionel Messi does not get punished by referees'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 March 2018

Verratti: 'Messi doesn't get punished by refs'

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti calls on referees to "be more tolerant" and questions why Lionel Messi so often gets away with similar acts of petulance.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has questioned the levels of leniency shown by referees to Barcelona ace Lionel Messi.

The Italy international, strongly linked with a move to Camp Nou in the past, was speaking two weeks on from being dismissed against Real Madrid in a Champions League last-16 tie.

Verratti's second caution came as a result of dissent after running towards the match official but, while the PSG man accepts that he has to curb his attitude, he is unsure why others such as Messi get away with similar acts of petulance.

"I got it wrong against Real, but it was a red card out of frustration and sometimes referees could be more tolerant," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"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 been cautioned 11 times in all competitions this term and sent off twice, while Messi has four yellows and no reds.