The Catalans are lying four points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga but their newly-crowned record goalscorer is eager to seal a positive result at Santiago Bernabeu
Lionel Messi is relishing lining up against Real Madrid in El Clasico this weekend and hopes the "good version" of Barcelona turns up.

Messi became Barcelona's all-time leading scorer with 371 goals on Sunday as he netted a hat-trick in the 7-0 hammering of Osasuna.

Barca travel to Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday four points behind their rivals and although the Catalan giants have not been at their fluent best this season, Messi has no doubt they can claim an important victory as the title race hots up.

"I hope we see a good version of Barcelona and we can get a positive result, which we need to still be in there fighting for La Liga just a point behind," he told the club's official TV station.

"We have a unique opportunity to cut the gap on Madrid. It will be a very difficult game because we are playing away from home and Real Madrid is a great team playing with a lot of confidence.

"It will be difficult, but it all depends on us." --------------- goal.com