Lionel Messi receives the heaviest 'suspension' of his career

Lionel Messi has received a heavy penalty from FIFA after insulting the assistant referee during Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile in the 2018 World Cup South American qualifiers.

Specifically, Messi was banned from playing for the Argentina national team for four matches because he used obscene and insulting words towards linesman Marcelo Van Gasse.

"Lionel Messi violated FIFA's code of conduct regulations when he used vulgar words towards a linesman. Messi will be banned for four matches and fined 10,000 Swiss francs," FIFA announced.

Image of Messi insulting the assistant referee.

With this penalty, Messi will not be allowed to participate in matches against Bolivia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.

This is the heaviest penalty the Barcelona star has received since starting his professional football career.

Messi's ban is a huge loss for Argentina as the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in South America are entering a crucial stage.

And in the very first match Messi served his sentence, Argentina had to taste the bitter fruit when they lost 0-2 away to Bolivia in the early morning of March 29 (Vietnam time).

Messi also did not shake hands with referee Marcelo Van Gasse after the match ended.

According to Vietnamplus