Carlo Ancelotti said he has the utmost respect for Barcelona, but he does not fear the LaLiga leaders, who they meet in Saturday's Clasico.

Barcelona currently have a three-point lead at the top of the table, having won all but one of their 10 matches. 

But Madrid are unbeaten in the league this campaign and are in fact on the cusp of history. They are one game away from matching the longest unbeaten run in the history of LaLiga, recorded by Ernesto Valverde's Barca (43) between 2017 and 2018.

They have won 31 and drawn 11 of the matches in that timeframe, with their last league defeat coming against rivals Atletico Madrid on September 25 last year.

And Ancelotti, who pointed out that Madrid are the reigning champions in Spain, said his team will not be intimidated by the task ahead of them.

"Fortunately, at the moment nobody keeps me awake at night," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday.

"[Barcelona] are doing very well. But in a match like the Clasico, it's very difficult to pick a favourite beforehand. It depends on the dynamics of the match. It's a matter of how you are able to handle the pressure, to deal with the tempo and how to identify the moments of the match...

"Barca have a very clear idea of how they play the game, they are performing very well. They are a very brave team, and we need to prepare well for the game and try to play our best version."

Barca travel to Madrid on the back of a 4-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, maintaining Flick's outstanding start with 11 wins from 13 matches in all competitions.

Madrid, however, have come under moderate criticism from pundits about starting their games slowly, raising questions about their motivation after winning both the LaLiga and Champions League titles last season.

The latest example was in their Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, when they had to fight back from two goals down after a dismal first half, only to score five goals after the break, with Vinicius Junior netting a hat-trick.

Ancelotti is not worried about his players' mindset, though, and believes they will be ready from the start due to the seriousness of their rivalry.

"Usually, in this style of match, you don't have to talk as much beforehand... The idea is to define a very clear, very simple strategy... and nothing else," Ancelotti added.

"It's not a type of match where you have to give big speeches. Playing like we did in the second half against Dortmund for 90 minutes is impossible, but that should be our starting point, what we will try to achieve. I think we did a lot of things right.

"We will prepare the game to do the right things with and without the ball. We have to play a complete game to win, and we will try to do that."

With a respective seven and four-point gap having already developed between first and second and their nearest challengers, Barcelona and Real Madrid look likely to go head-to-head to rule LaLiga once again this season.

After the two sides lit up the Champions League in midweek – Madrid recovering to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2, while Barcelona trounced Bayern Munich 4-1 – Saturday's Clasico is the must-watch fixture in the European calendar this week.

Hansi Flick's side lead the way with nine wins from his first 10 league games in charge, while Madrid have one of two unbeaten records remaining in the division, alongside neighbours Atletico Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti's reigning Spanish and European champions have an opportunity not only to knock Barca off the top this weekend, but to earn a slice of history.

They are one game away from matching the longest unbeaten run in the history of LaLiga, recorded by Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona (43) between 2017 and 2018.

Can Los Blancos match their great rivals' feat at the Santiago Bernabeu? Here, we dive into the Opta data to preview the first Clasico of the campaign.

 What's expected? 

Despite Barcelona making a flying start to Flick's reign, it is Madrid who are made favourites by the Opta supercomputer at home.

Ancelotti's team were victorious in 56% of the 10,000 match simulations conducted by the supercomputer, with Barca winning 21.3% and 22.7% finishing all square. 

Madrid have an excellent record versus Barca lately, winning each of their last four matches against them in all competitions. They could now record five straight victories in El Clasico for just the second time in the last 59 years, having done so between 2020 and 2022.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, could become just the third coach to win five or more successive Clasicos in the history of the fixture, after Miguel Munoz between 1962 and 1965 (seven) and Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2010 (five).

Jude Bellingham struck dramatic winners in both league fixtures between these great rivals last season – a 2-1 triumph in Catalonia last October and a 3-2 victory in Madrid in April.

On their own turf, Madrid have won four of their last five meetings with Barca (one defeat), winning each of their last two.

They have not won three straight home Clasicos in the competition since they enjoyed a run of four consecutive wins between 1988 and 1991, a period in which they won LaLiga three times in four campaigns. 

History beckons for Los Blancos

Incredibly, Madrid have not been beaten in league action since September 25 last year, when they went down 3-1 to rivals Atletico.

Their unbeaten run in LaLiga now stands at 42 matches, with 31 wins and 11 draws in that timeframe. 

Saturday's game offers them the chance to draw level with the mark brought up by Valverde's Barca between April 2017 and May 2018 (34 wins, nine draws). With bottom club Valencia their next opponents after this match, they have a great opportunity to snatch that record outright.

While last season's Clasico hero Bellingham is yet to score in LaLiga this term and has only provided one assist in his six appearances, Madrid have another player with a knack of breaking Barca hearts.

Vinicius Junior has been involved in seven goals in his last four games in El Clasico in all competitions, scoring five goals and laying on two assists.

In total, the Real Madrid forward has scored seven goals in 17 games against Barcelona. They are his second-best goalscoring opponent after Valencia (eight goals).

Vinicius also got Los Blancos' winner as they overcame Celta Vigo 2-1 in their last league game on Saturday, then scored a wonderful hat-trick in Tuesday's comeback victory over Dortmund, taking him to 35 goal involvements (20 goals, 15 assists) in his last 35 Champions League starts.

With the Brazilian dovetailing with Bellingham, Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe, Madrid have the firepower to halt Barca's brilliant start to life under Flick, and seal their own place in the record books in the process.

Major test for Flick

Flick could hardly have wished for a better start to his tenure at Barca, with a 4-2 defeat at Osasuna last month the only blot on his record in LaLiga. 

Last week's 5-0 rout of Sevilla also took the Blaugrana to 33 goals in 10 league games under Flick. Only Zinedine Zidane has enjoyed a more prolific start through 10 games as a manager in LaLiga this century (34).

Three of the nine players in the big five European Leagues to be involved in 10 or more goals this season, meanwhile, represent Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (12 goals, two assists), Lamine Yamal (four goals, six assists) and Raphinha (five goals, five assists). 

Only three players from those five leagues have at least five goals and five assists this term: Mohamed Salah (five goals, five assists with Liverpool), Cole Palmer (six goals, five assists with Chelsea) and Raphinha.

Flick got one over on his former club in style on Wednesday, with Raphinha's hat-trick helping them end a run of six straight Champions League meetings with Bayern.

If that result was not enough of a statement, Barcelona achieved it with a youthful starting XI with an average age of 24 years and 185 days, their youngest lineup for a Champions League match since December 2011 versus BATE Borisov (23 years, 93 days).

A trip to the Bernabeu, however, will surely represent Flick's toughest test to date.

Each of the last five Barcelona coaches – Xavi, Ronald Koeman, Quique Setien, Valverde and Luis Enrique – have lost their first competitive Clasico, with Gerardo Martino the last to oversee a victory in his first one (2-1 in 2013). If Flick can buck that trend, it will be advantage Barca in the title race.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Madrid – Vinicius Junior

As well as having a fine record in Clasico matches, Vinicius has also been involved in at least one goal in each of his last six matches in LaLiga (four goals, three assists), netting the winner at Celta Vigo last weekend.

The Brazilian is widely considered the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or and last time out against Dortmund, led all players on the pitch for xG (1.26), shots (seven), shots on target (four) and dribbles completed (six), also creating two chances and contesting a joint-high 16 duels.

Barcelona – Lamine Yamal 

While Raphinha stole the headlines against Bayern in midweek, his fellow winger Yamal also shone, recording an assist as he became the youngest player to make 10 Champions League starts, aged 17 years and 102 days.

He already has six assists in LaLiga this season, becoming the first Barca player to reach that figure within the opening 10 matchdays since Lionel Messi in 2014-15 (seven).

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany said his team's missed opportunities cost them in their 4-1 defeat away to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Harry Kane had equalised for Bayern after Raphinha's first-minute opener, but Robert Lewandowski scored against his former club before the Brazilian completed his hat-trick on either side of half-time.

The defeat was Bayern's second consecutive loss in Europe after being beaten 1-0 at Aston Villa last time out.

But Kompany said that this time, they had not made the most of their chances after Harry Kane had equalised in the first half. The German side controlled the game for long periods and registered 60% possession, while they had just one shot (11) fewer than Barcelona overall.

But Bayern Munich were repeatedly caught out by Barcelona's quick transition, with captain Raphinha scoring a hat trick in the rout.

"I think maybe one very, very simple analysis I can make is when you have control of a game, and you have so much possession in a place like today against a team like we played today, you have to use the opportunity to take the momentum away from the opposition team," Kompany told a press conference.

"The way it went in the start of the first half is what we thought we could achieve in this game. It was where it felt like we could edge this game. We felt like this could turn for us.

"But in key moments we got outdone and for that reason the result is fairly, fairly heavy. We played against a good team, but we have the ambition to win these games, so today we know we have to learn from this game so we are stronger going forward."

Wednesday's result leaves Kompany's side 23rd in the 36-team league with three points, while Barcelona are 10th.

Hansi Flick said that Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday has given him and his team a confidence boost ahead of El Clasico on Saturday.

Flick managed their German opponents from 2019-2021 and was delighted with the win, which was the biggest test of their season so far ahead of a trip to Madrid.

Barcelona scored four goals against Bayern for the second time in their Champions League history, after doing so in April 2009 under Pep Guardiola (4-0).

And Flick was delighted with what he saw from his team at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys.

"It's unbelievable this win. Bayern are a wonderful team with fantastic players who know how to play very well. You want to see them play," Flick told reporters.

"Of course, if you win this kind of game you have to celebrate. This win gives us the confidence to believe in our quality for the game coming up on Saturday.

"With the level our team has been showing, you can achieve great things. We played with a lot of courage and that's why I'm very happy. The team wants to learn, and we will learn from the things we didn't do as well.

"We have one day less than Real Madrid to prepare for the Clasico but all the players want to play this game. We will prepare well and be ready."

Prior to Wednesday's match, Barcelona had lost six straight matches against Bayern by an aggregate score of 22-4 - including an 8-2 quarter-final defeat four years ago.

But this time, their performance was led by captain Raphinha, who became just the fourth player in European Cup/UEFA Champions League history to score a hat-trick against Bayern, after Roy Makaay in 2002, Sergio Agüero in 2014 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017.

Understandably, Flick was full of praise for the Brazilian forward.

"[Raphinha] is a good example of how a player can impact how a team can function," Flick said.

"He always has a good attitude in training and in matches. He's very important for us, also because of the counter-attacking pressure he puts on. And also because of the way he prepares to score. He has a good dynamic on the ball and he played an extraordinary game.

"His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, is something special. I've never had a player like him, and he helps us a lot."

Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead his side to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The win for Barca at their temporary Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys home ends a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouses.

Raphinha's inspired night started when he gave Barca the lead a little over a minute after kick-off as he received a fine pass through by midfielder Fermin Lopez, beat the offside trap and rounded the onrushing Manuel Neuer to tap into the empty net.

Harry Kane leveled the score with a volley in the 18th minute, only for Robert Lewandowski to put the home team back in front in the 36th minute against his former side after a mistake by Bayern's defence.

Raphinha then extended Barca's lead with two goals from quick counter-attacks either side of half-time.

Barca are ninth in the Champions League standings on six points from three games, while Bayern are 23rd on three points after a second consecutive defeat.

Data Debrief: Bayern blown away by brilliant Raphinha

This was expected to be a tight contest between two behemoths of the European game, but Raphinha had other ideas as he struck the first of his three goals inside just 54 seconds.

That is the second-earliest goal Barca have scored in the Champions League, beaten only by Mark van Bommel's goal against Panathinaikos in 2005 after 36 seconds.

He is the first player to score twice in the first half of a Champions League game against Bayern since Neymar did so far Barcelona in May 2015, and he only added to the German side's misery with his third in the second period.

Real Madrid have confirmed that both Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo will miss their upcoming Clasico encounter against Barcelona through injury. 

The LaLiga champions revealed that Courtois had sustained an injury to the adductor in his left leg during their 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. 

Madrid also said that Rodrygo, who was replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni in the 85th minute against Dortmund, will undergo an MRI scan later this week. 

The Brazilian was seen holding the back of his leg shortly before playing a role in Lucas Vazquez's goal seven minutes from time. 

Rodrygo has impressed for Carlo Ancelotti's side this term, notching five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in 13 appearances in all competitions. 

His 16 chances created is a total only bettered by Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior (both 21), though Madrid are not without their reserves at the top end of the pitch. 

Real are already without Dani Carvajal and David Alaba for the visit of their fierce rivals, but have welcomed Brahim Diaz back into training after a month-long lay-off. 

Vincent Kompany cannot fathom how Barcelona have Lamine Yamal filled the world-class void left by Lionel Messi already.

Bayern Munich will have to deal with the Spain winger, who powered La Roja to Euro 2024 glory, when his side meet the Blaugrana on Wednesday.

Teenager Yamal has raised the hopes of Barcelona supporters that he could help them enjoy similar success they had with Messi, also a product of the club's famed La Masia youth academy.

Messi won four Champions League titles with Barcelona, along with 10 La Liga crowns, before his move to Paris Saint-Germain, and subsequently to current club Inter Miami in MLS.

Kompany does not see Barcelona truly feeling the impact of Messi's departure, however, for as long as Yamal continues to deliver.

"I honestly don't know but it is already exceptional for Barcelona as a club so shortly after the departure of Messi... one of the key figures of our football era, already to have potentially a player who can replace him," Kompany told a press conference on Tuesday.

"That is quite unique. Full credit to La Masia."

Yamal has enjoyed a fine start to the season following his European success with the national team, with five goals and six assists across all competitions so far.

Bayern, in 15th place after two Champions League matchdays, are desperate to bounce back following their loss to Aston Villa in their previous game.

"I honestly think the question for us is not trying just to stop players but to win a game and that includes playing against all players not one just one player although he [Yamal] is an exceptional player," Kompany said.

Bayern have attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala back from injury but Kompany has still not decided if he will start.

"With Jamal... everyone knows how important he is for Bayern but it is not just about the next game but the next 30 or 40 matches. We need to find the right balance," Kompany added.

"We will have to see if he plays 90 minutes or if he comes on." 

Hansi Flick is excited by Wednesday's Champions League reunion with former club Bayern Munich, though he already feels at home at Barcelona after a flying start.

Barcelona sit top of LaLiga with nine wins from 10 matches after crushing Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday, while they have three points from two Champions League fixtures, losing to Monaco but beating Young Boys 5-0.

On matchday three, the Blaugrana face Bayern – with whom Flick lifted UEFA's premier club trophy in 2019-20 – in a heavyweight contest in Catalonia.

Between Flick's appointment in November 2019 and his exit in June 2021, Bayern averaged the highest possession share in the Bundesliga (62.55%) and won the ball in the final third 489 times, 172 clear of Borussia Dortmund, who were second by that metric (317).

They also led the way for wins (45), total shots (1,023) and goals (174) in that span, averaging exactly three goals per Bundesliga outing.

While Flick has fond memories of his time in Bavaria, his main focus is on leading Barca to a morale-boosting win before they face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday.

"Bayern is something special in my life, it's an excellent club and I have many acquaintances and relationships with players and managers," Flick said on Tuesday.

"It was a great time, that's my memory. But now there is a new chapter, I am delighted here and very happy.

"I have a very good feeling for being here. The fans support us with so much passion and it forces you to give your all.

"That's how we're going to continue, we want to be well prepared. I might know Bayern a little better but it will be a difficult game."

Flick, who was Bayern's coach when they humiliated Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, said that match will have no bearing on their next meeting.

"The past is in the past and what we should focus on is the here and now. What happened in the past we cannot change, but we can change what happens tomorrow. I want us to be well prepared and give our best. We want to beat Bayern," Flick said.

"It is important that we work hard and achieve what we are looking for. The fans can rely on us to give our all.

"We don't always perform at 100% and that's why we're trying to improve for the next game. It will be important to put pressure on our opponents. We will try to make as few mistakes as possible."

Gavi is thrilled to be back in action for Barcelona after his long-awaited return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 20-year-old underwent surgery after suffering the injury in Spain's Euro 2024 qualifying win over Georgia last year.

He subsequently missed the rest of the season, along with Spain's triumph at the Euros.

But Gavi made his return to action on Sunday, coming on as a substitute during Barca's 5-1 win over Sevilla in LaLiga, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

"I'm very happy to be back with the team. I've been dreaming about this moment for many months and I'm grateful to everyone because they've made it so much easier for me," an emotional Gavi told Movistar Plus.

"The worst thing during the lay-off is not playing with my teammates. Seeing the team from the outside is very hard and gives you a different perspective, you learn that you have to enjoy every moment and appreciate things.

"I feel very lucky to be here today, recovered, because this is my life and what I've been doing all my life and I've missed it a lot.

"When you see all the fans and team-mates over there and they show you that they love you and appreciate you, you feel very lucky."

Hansi Flick added: "For him [Gavi] it was a fantastic moment, a fantastic feeling.

"The result was great. It was a perfect day for him and also for us."

Barcelona are top of LaLiga on 27 points, three ahead of Real Madrid in second and seven clear of Atletico Madrid in third.

They will host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before next weekend's Clasico against Madrid.

"Winning like this is very important for the games to come," Gavi's team-mate Pedri told Movistar Plus.

"Today we had to leave with more than just the three points, we needed that good feeling we got.

"The coach told us that there was going to be spaces at the edge of the box and we took advantage of that."

Robert Lewandowski and substitute Pablo Torre each scored twice to help leaders Barcelona thrash visitors Sevilla 5-1 in LaLiga on Sunday.

Barca were dominant throughout the encounter at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and effectively killed off the game with three goals in 15 first-half minutes.

A Lewandowski penalty got the scoring started after Raphinha was fouled from behind in the 24th minute before Pedri fired a bullet strike into the top corner from the edge of the box to double their lead four minutes later.

Lewandowski then got his second from close range in the 39th minute, sticking out a leg to divert Raphinha's low shot past Orjan Nyland.

Raphinha thought he had added a fourth just after half-time, only to be denied by the offside flag, as was Dodi Lukebakio at the other end in the 72nd minute.

Torre climbed off the bench to score the fourth with a shot from inside the box 10 minutes later and, moments after Stanis Idumbo netted a consolation for Sevilla in the 87th, he wrapped up the scoring with a superb free-kick into the far corner.

Barcelona sit top of the LaLiga standings on 27 points, three ahead of Real Madrid in second, and seven clear of Atletico Madrid in third. Sevilla are 13th on 12 points.

Data Debrief: Flick's men firing on all cylinders

Flick has certainly settled into life at Barcelona quickly, and the Catalan giants picked up where they left off before the international break with another high-scoring game, meaning they have scored 13 goals in their last three games.

In fact, Barcelona have netted 31 LaLiga goals in 2024-25 so far, their best scoring start after their first 10 games of a season in the competition since 2012-13 (32).

And Lewandowski has certainly played his part, becoming the first player to score 12 goals after his first 10 games of a season since Lionel Messi in 2019-20 (also 12).

As has Lamine Yamal, who had been an injury doubt before the game. He is the first Barcelona player to provide six assists at this stage of a LaLiga season since Messi in 2014-15 (seven). 

Precisely 20 years ago, the player many consider to be the greatest of all time made his senior debut.

At the age of 17, Lionel Messi made his first appearance in LaLiga on October 16, 2004, replacing goalscorer Deco from the bench in Barcelona's 1-0 win at Espanyol. He was, at the time, the club's youngest player to feature in an official game.

The rest, as they say, is history – 846 goals, eight Ballons d'Or and 43 senior team honours later, Messi has certainly cemented his place among the all-time greats.

On the 20th anniversary of his first professional outing, we celebrate the Argentine maestro by delving into the best facts and figures of his glittering career.

From prodigy to club legend

Messi's crowning achievement may have come on the international stage, but it was at Barcelona where he became a great, after joining their famed academy aged 13.

By the time of his 2021 departure, Messi had cemented himself as Barca's all-time leader for appearances (766) and starts (687) in all competitions, scoring an incredible 664 goals for the Blaugrana – comfortably ahead of Cesar Rodriguez's 232, previously recognised as the club record.

Messi averaged a goal every 94 minutes during his 17-year stint in the club's senior team, while his 260 assists were some 123 more than Xavi (137), who boasts the second-best figure since Opta records began.

All in all, Messi directly contributed to a staggering 924 goals while at Barca. The next-best figure by a single player in that time belongs to Luis Suarez, who managed 295 (198 goals, 97 assists).

The Argentine lifted 35 trophies – including LaLiga 10 times and the Champions League on four occasions – during his time at Camp Nou, also a record tally for any Barca player.

No love in Paris

When financial troubles left Barca unable to renew Messi's contract ahead of the 2021-22 season, he bid a tearful farewell to his adopted home and joined French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi did contribute to two Ligue 1 title wins in as many seasons with the club, yet his time in Paris was not altogether happy, with early Champions League exits at the hands of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich giving way to fan protests.

Messi did win his seventh Ballon d'Or during his debut campaign in France, though, partly as a result of Argentina's 2021 Copa America triumph.

His 26 league appearances in 2021-22 were his fewest in any league campaign since 2006-07, when he was still a teenager, and he was limited to just six goals and nine assists in the French top flight.

Sixteen goals and as many assists followed in 2022-23, and through his two years in Ligue 1, only Kylian Mbappe (79) and Wissam Ben Yedder (55) bettered his overall tally of 55 goal involvements in the competition.

To the Sunshine State

A fractious relationship with PSG's fans and a lack of continental success made Messi's stay in France unhappy, and in 2023 he went Stateside, joining David Beckham-owned MLS franchise Inter Miami.

Success was immediate as Messi fired the Herons to Leagues Cup glory in August 2023. By the end of that particular campaign, Messi's 10 goals in seven matches put him third in Inter Miami's all-time goalscoring charts without even appearing in a league game.

The 2024 Supporters' Shield followed last month, and Messi is the hot favourite to be named MLS MVP after a brilliant individual campaign, the highlights of which include a 10-match run with a goal involvement to start the season and five assists in May's 6-2 rout of the New York Red Bulls, a game in which he also scored.

No player had previously had six goal involvements in an MLS game, or teed up five goals for team-mates in a single match, nor had Messi previously achieved either feat for club and country.

Only Luciano Acosta (30), Evander (29), Cucho Hernandez, Denis Bouanga and Christian Benteke (all 28) have bettered his 27 direct goal involvements in regular-season play this year. The most impressive part? Messi has only started 15 games. 

International glory

It now seems unthinkable to imagine Messi being maligned by Argentina fans, but that was the case for the majority of his career as he struggled to live up to Diego Maradona's achievements in the Albiceleste shirt.

However, back-to-back Copa America successes in 2021 and 2024, coming either side of a remarkable run to World Cup glory in 2022, have altered that perception for good.

Messi was named Player of the Tournament and scooped the Golden Boot as Argentina ended their 18-year wait for silverware at the 2021 Copa, but it was Qatar 2022 that saw him really cement his legacy.

Only Poland – in Argentina's third group game – prevented Messi from scoring as he ended the tournament with seven goals and three assists, including two strikes and a successful spot-kick in the shoot-out win over France in the final.

Only Gerd Muller (10 goals, three assists in 1970), Just Fontaine (13 goals in 1958) and Sandor Kocsis (11 goals in 1954) have ever bettered that figure at a single World Cup.

His 21 overall goal contributions at the World Cup are the most in tournament history, while he is the only player to win the Golden Ball award at two separate editions – doing so in 2014 and 2022.

This year's Copa America gave Messi a chance to further underline his international legacy, and though he was withdrawn due to injury in the final, Argentina got the job done against Colombia. 

Messi opted against calling it quits there, though, and Tuesday's hat-trick against Bolivia saw him equal Cristiano Ronaldo's record for the most trebles in international football, with 10. 

His tally of 112 Argentina goals puts him some way adrift of Ronaldo's tally of 133 for Portugal, though his recent run of international trophies more than makes up for it. 

Barcelona have confirmed Lamine Yamal suffered a left hamstring strain while on international duty with Spain.

The 17-year-old limped off in the 93rd minute of their Nations League clash against Denmark on Saturday before returning to Barcelona to undergo further tests.

He was one of La Roja's brightest players in the 1-0 victory, having five of their 25 shots, the most by a Spain player in the competition this season.

However, he is now set for an undetermined spell on the sidelines, though he is likely to miss their LaLiga match against Sevilla on Sunday.

Yamal has started 11 of Barca's 12 games in all competitions so far, and Hansi Flick will be hoping he is not set to endure a long layoff, with matches against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and Real Madrid in the league also coming up next week.

If he is not involved, it would prove a huge blow for Barcelona. This season, Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have been involved in 21 Barcelona goals in LaLiga, the best goalscoring duo of any club in the big five European Leagues.

"Tests carried out this morning on first team player Lamine Yamal have confirmed that he has a left hamstring strain. His return to training will be determined by his recovery time," Barcelona said in a statement on social media.

Barcelona return to league action this weekend when they welcome Sevilla to the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Experienced goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has said that he will not quit smoking despite having gone back on his decision to retire from football to join Barcelona.

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen having suffered a serious knee injury last month, which will keep him out for a long period of time, Szczesny was persuaded to get back into football having left Juventus in August.

But the goalkeeper is of the opinion that what he does off the pitch in his personal life should be of no interest to anyone.

"There are things that I don't change in my personal life," said Szczesny in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.

"It's nobody's business if I smoke. I believe it doesn't affect what I do on the pitch, I work twice as hard."

Szczesny did admit that, while he has no intention of stopping, there are certain boundaries he puts in place.

"I don't do it in front of kids because I don't want to have a bad influence on them," he said.

Despite that, he went on to make it clear that he won't be put off by people trying to catch him out with it.

"Sometimes somebody will take a photo from the trees where I have a cigarette, that's on them, not on me.

"If somebody thinks that I will change the way I am in my personal life they can think again because I am who I am. I've been this way my whole life."

Andres Iniesta says he is turning his attention to coaching and would like to return to Barcelona in the future after announcing his retirement.

The 40-year-old most recently played for UAE Pro League club Emirates but chose not to extend his contract to 2025.

Iniesta made 674 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, the fourth-most in the history of the club, before leaving to join Vissel Kobe in 2018.

The former Spain midfielder initially joined the club aged 12, making his senior debut in 2002, and going on to enjoy a trophy-laden career with the Spanish giants, including winning nine LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.

Iniesta went unbeaten for 55 games for Barcelona in LaLiga between September 2010 and April 2012 (W47 D8), the longest run of any player in the history of the competition. 

He was also an integral part of Barcelona's two treble-winning seasons in 2009 and 2015, with the club hosting his retirement event on Tuesday to mark the end of his career.

During the event, Iniesta revealed that he had already started making plans for his career off the pitch.

"I already starting the coaching course," Iniesta said. "I want to train myself for this next stage.

"Those of you who know me know that I am quite stubborn in that sense, to do a great job. It won't be behind the ball but in another place.

"I'd like to return to Barca at some point. Not just to say it, but because those who had so much influence, in one way or another, have to be there.

"When I can do what I did as a player in another role at the club, I'd be delighted."

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40.

Iniesta, who also played for Japanese side Vissel Kobe, most recently played for UAE Pro League club Emirates and had the option to extend his contract until 2025, but has instead decided to hang up his boots.

The midfielder started his career at Barcelona, joining at the age of 12 before making his senior debut in 2002.

He went on to make 674 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, the fourth-most in the history of the club, behind Lionel Messi (778), Xavi (767) and Sergio Busquets (722).

"Please allow me to be a little emotional today..." a tearful Iniesta said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"I never thought this day would come. I never imagined it. Yes, all these tears we have shed these days are tears of emotion, of pride. They are not tears of sadness.

"They are tears of that boy from a small town like Fuentealbilla, who had the dream of being a footballer and we achieved it after a lot of hard work, sacrifice... of never giving up, essential values in my life. I feel very proud of this path, with all the people who have accompanied me." 

Iniesta scored 35 goals in 442 LaLiga appearances, with Barcelona unbeaten in the 35 league games in which he scored (W33 D2). Only Angel Correa (58 games) has scored in more games without losing in the competition in the 21st century.

While at Barcelona, he won 29 major honours, including nine LaLiga titles, four Champions League, two UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups.

Iniesta also made 131 appearances for Spain, the fifth-most in the history of the male national team, and famously scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final as La Roja lifted the trophy for the first time.

His strike in the 116th minute against the Netherlands (115:54 exactly) is the latest winning goal in the showpiece match in the history of the tournament.

He was also a part of Spain's European Championship successes in 2008 and 2012, being named the Player of the Tournament at the latter edition.

Despite playing an integral role in those tournaments, Iniesta failed to score with any of the 34 shots he attempted in his three appearances at the Euros finals (2008, 2012, 2016), a record number of attempts without scoring by any player at the tournament since at least the 1980 edition.