The Argentine ace is set to spend some time on the sidelines after his rant against football's governing body in South America.

CONMEBOL was not happy with Messi's rant following Argentina's Copa America elimination, which prompted an investigation by the South American football officers.

The Argentine ace was warned about a massive sanction coming his way, but early reports coming in from Paraguay (where CONMEBOL's headquarters are located) hint that Messi will be handed a minor ban, at least for the time being.

According to a report by Marca Claro Argentina, Messi will only be sanctioned with a two-match ban, mainly due to his straight red card against Chile. Added to that, Messi will have to pay a fine, which will be determined in the following hours by South American officers analyzing this case.

Messi, having a word with Ecuador ref Roddy Zambrano, during the game between La Albiceleste and Brazil, which sparked Messi's initial rant against Copa America execs.

Even if the initial report suggests that Messi will only be suspended for the first two 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches with La Albiceleste, his ban could be extended by the officers in charge.

Article Seven of CONMEBOL's rule book states that "any offensive, insulting or derogatory statements against CONMEBOL authorities or officers will be studied and may cause an extended ban," the document reads. 

Messi will get a chance to appeal CONMEBOL's decision, just like he did in 2017. Back then, Messi saw a four-match ban reduced to only one, making him available for the crucial WC Qualifiers that saw La Albiceleste earn their spot in the 2018 World Cup.