Lionel Messi throws headbutt, grabs neck of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa during 'friendly' between Barcelona and Roma

The Argentina international escaped with nothing more than a booking as Barcelona won pre-season match 3-0

Lionel Messi grabs the throat of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (GETTY IMAGES)

The 'friendly' nature of Barcelona's match with Roma appeared to pass Lionel Messi by last night.

The four-time Ballon d'Or winner was involved in a nasty altercation with opposing player Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa for which Messi was lucky to escape the embarrassment of a red card.

With the visiting team to the Nou Camp trailing 1-0 to Neymar's opener, French international Mapou lost his temper with Messi and leant his head in towards the Argentina star.

It didn't go down well with the little magician who responded by throwing his head at his much taller opponent before grabbing Mapou by the throat. The pair needed to be broken up, with Roma's Brazilian defender Leandro Castan standing in as peacemaker.

Under normal circumstances Spanish referee Javier Estrada Fernandez would have shown little hesitation in sending the pair off, but instead opted to show yellow cards due to the status of the match.

Messi arguably got the revenge he was looking for when seven minutes after the incident he managed to double Barcelona's lead.

Barcelona eventually won the match, part of Barcelona's traditional pre-season Gamper Trophy to showcase their new arrivals, 3-0 thanks to Ivan Rakitic's powerful drive into the top corner from 30 yards.