Zubizarreta: Real Madrid should reognise Leo Messi

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta says the Real Madrid crowd should recognise Leo Messi should the striker break the La Liga goalscoring record in the Clasico later this month.

The Catalan side visit the Santiago Bernabeu on October 25, and at just two goals short of Telmo Zarra’s record of 251 league goals, there is a very real possibility the 27-year-old surpasses that figure at the home of the 10-time European Cup winners.

The LFP have suggested Messi could be honoured at the game should he break the record. And Zubizarreta said he would expect the home crowd to recognise that achievement despite playing for their bitter rivals. Applauding Barcelona players, although rare, has been done before, with Ronaldinho getting a standing ovation in 2005 after his devastating hat trick in a 3-0 win in the Spanish capital.

Speaking to AS, Zubizarreta said: “It’s something more to do with sports like American football and basketball, it sounds odd in football. But he deserves recognition. I’ll settle for a goal against Eibar and Madrid and that we win.

“We’ve seen the Bernabeu applaud Barca players in the past, and vice-versa. “Players evolve and Leo isn’t just a goalscorer. He understands the game, he is involved in more phases of play. Goals will always be there but that won’t be all.” the former Spanish goalkeeper added.