Lionel Messi took a step closer to the Champions League goalscoring record during a victory over Ajax on Tuesday and the Barcelona forward will this weekend turn his attention to El Clasico with Real Madrid and his pursuit of the all-time La Liga goals tally.
His partnership with Neymar is blossoming this season after a slow start and Messi set the Brazilian up for the first goal against Ajax before registering another in the 3-1 win to give him 69 Champions League goals, two short of Raul's record.
Both Messi and Neymar were taken off in the second half with Luis Enrique, the Barca manager, resting them ahead of the meeting with Real. The intention was for Messi to remain fresh as he gives chase to the scoring record of Telmo Zarra for Athletic Bilbao set in the 1940s and '50s, who scored 251 league goals. Messi is just one goal behind.
However, the Argentine - who made his debut for the Catalan club around 10 years ago - is adamant that he will not be preoccupied with that record when he faces Madrid. "The record is the least important, what is important is that we have a good game and get the win," said the forward, who scored a hat trick during the last Clasico in the league.
Barca lead the Spanish top flight, with Real four points behind in third place. However, the capital side are in formidable form having scored 25 times in five games."It is El Clasico, it would be great to win but still it doesn't decide anything as there is a long way to go," said Messi.
He could be joined in the Barca attack on Saturday by Luis Suarez, with the Uruguyan due to return from his four-month ban. With Pedro struggling for form and youngsters Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi not yet ready for regular football there is a place waiting in the team for Suarez to fill, alongside Messi and Neymar.
"We are looking forward to the arrival of Luis and it will be great to play with him as he will add a lot of strength to the team," said Messi. "He is a great striker who scores a lot of goals. I am happy for him as he has been out for a long time."
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