Wu's Messi match-up sparks frenzy

China enthralled as nation's La Liga trailblazer readies for derby date with Barca's little magician

Wu Lei hysteria is about hit fever pitch, with the Chinese forward poised for the biggest and most illustrious test of his burgeoning La Liga career to date this weekend - and Lionel Messi should be wary.

Millions of fans will be glued to TVs, laptops and cellphones back home as Wu's Espanyol travels crosstown to Camp Nou to take on the might of Messi's Barcelona in the Catalan derby on Saturday.