MADRID – Maybe next time Lionel Messi should just send his mother a birthday card.
The Barcelona forward was fined and given a yellow card Tuesday, three days after he converted a penalty kick in 3-0 win over Racing Santander and lifted his jersey in front a television camera to reveal an undershirt with the handwritten words: "Happy birthday, mami!"
The two-time FIFA player of the year did not receive a yellow card from referee Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva, who included the action in his match report.
Messi was punished by the Royal Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee under article 91.1 for goal celebrations. Messi can expect a fine between 2,000 and 3,000 euros ($2,736 to $4,105).
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