Beating Madrid more important than goal record for red-hot Messi

Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi says victory in the season's first El Clasico against Real Madrid on Saturday is more important than the personal glory of becoming La Liga's all-time leading scorer.

Messi is just one short of Telmo Zarra's 251-goal record which has stood since 1955 and could enter the record books once more on rival territory as Barca looks to consolidate its four-point lead over Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

However, the Argentine joined coach Luis Enrique in playing down the importance of the match in the title race with just eight games of the season played.