In the 2021 Spanish Super Cup, Don Benito’s referee handed the only red card of Leo Messi’s club career, a moment that still echoes in discussions about the player’s disciplinary record.
Jesús Gil Manzano is the appointed referee for the Clásico this Saturday, October 28, in Montjuic, where Barcelona and Real Madrid meet on LaLiga matchday 11. The stand between the two giants always draws global attention, and this assignment adds another chapter to an ongoing storied rivalry.
Who is Jesús Gil Manzano, the referee of the Classic Barcelona vs. Real Madrid in the 2023-2024 LaLiga season, and what is his history with both clubs?
Statistics and anecdotes have shown that Madrid has benefited more often when Gil Manzano has been in charge. The dramatic episode many Barcelona supporters recall involves Messi, who remains the only Barcelona player to be sent off in an official match by this official. The moment is frequently cited as a turning point in Messi’s early career with the club and is remembered as a landmark in refereeing history involving the Argentine star.
Messi’s unique red card at club level under Gil Manzano
During the 2021 Spanish Super Cup final, Barcelona faced Athletic Club Bilbao in a tightly contested match that ended 2-3 in favor of Bilbao. The pivotal moment came in extra time when Messi appeared to clash with a Bilbao defender. After a lengthy VAR review, Gil Manzano handed Messi a red card for an off-ball incident, a decision that remains a rare blemish on the forward’s club career and a notable moment in the referee’s official record.
Messi’s red cards across his career with clubs and country
Messi has appeared in well over 880 club games and has received only one red card while playing for Barcelona, the instance against Bilbao. Earlier in his international career, Messi did receive a red card on his debut for Argentina, in a friendly against Hungary in 2005, indicating that red cards have been a rarity for him at the club level. The trajectory of Messi’s disciplinary record includes a few other cautions in competitive international fixtures, but the red card under Gil Manzano remains a notable isolated incident in a long and storied career.
As the match approaches, questions arise about the referee’s prior decisions in high-stakes derbies and how his interpretation of offenses might influence the tempo and flow of the game. Gil Manzano is known for a firm but fair approach, with decisions that tend to spark lively discussion among fans, pundits, and players alike.
In the broader context of LaLiga refereeing, Gil Manzano’s track record includes a mix of controversial and routine calls, reflecting the challenges of officiating in matches with intense rivalry, high stakes, and enormous public attention. His role in the Madrid–Barcelona narrative is a reminder of how officials can become a part of football folklore, shaping memories for players, clubs, and supporters for years to come.