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What's the story?
FC Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi will look to extend his amazing goal scoring record against bitter rivals, Real Madrid, as they meet in another Clasico.
In case you didn't know...
Leo Messi has been in staggering form since the start of the season and is showing no signs of slowing down despite being 31 years old. He leads the race for the European Golden Shoe ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The mercurial Argentine is also the leading scorer in La Liga with 25 goals in just 23 appearances and scored a stunning hat-trick against Sevilla to secure Barcelona's win last week in the league.
Despite his brilliant campaign so far, Messi is yet to open his mark against Los Blancos this season. He did not feature in the season's first Clasico due to injury, which eventually ended in a 5-1 hammering of Real Madrid.
On the other hand, Messi continued his poor goalscoring record against Madrid in Copa Del Rey as he failed to score in spite of Barcelona's victory over two legs.
The heart of the matter
In his 40 games against Real Madrid so far in his career, Messi remains the highest scorer in the historic fixture with a staggering 26 goals. His 14 assists also depict his impact against Barcelona's bitter rivals, with the Argentine set to be seen in action yet again tonight in the Spanish top flight.
The 31-year-old Argentine tops the chart of greatest goalscorers in El Clasico history, with Alfred Di Stefano(18), Cristiano Ronaldo(18) and Raul(15) behind him. What is truly amazing is that no Real Madrid or Barcelona legend even crossed the 20 goal mark against their bitter rivals so far.
The last time Messi started against Real Madrid in the La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu, the match ended in favor of the Blaugrana, with Messi scoring one and providing one assist.
There is little doubt over the fact that Messi will be keen to play a vital role for Barcelona upfront and eye extending his sensational goalscoring record over their bitter rivals.
What's next?
FC Barcelona will face Real Madrid again tonight in the La Liga, as Los Blancos set to host their arch rivals twice in the past week.
