Lionel Messi: It would be nice to score 500th career goal in El Clasico

Updated 31/03/2016 at 12:24 GMT

Lionel Messi is one goal shy of 500 career goals and aims to hit that milestone against Real Madrid in El Clasico.

Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal.

Image credit: Reuters

Messi became only the second player in Argentina’s history to reach 50 international goals after Gabriel Batistuta, who fired 56 goals in 78 appearances for La Albiceleste, when he fired home a penalty in their 2-0 win over Bolivia.

That strike left Messi on 499 career goals – 449 for Barcelona and 50 for the national team – meaning the Argentine can claim a half-millennium of goals during Saturday’s Clasico.

[Lionel Messi at 50 Argentina goals: Modest maestro closes on more milestones]

Football

'Never underestimate impact of words' - Ferdinand calls on authorities to do more to tackle racism

00:01:55

30 minutes ago

"It would be a nice moment to reach that figure against Real Madrid. It would be nice to win to stretch our advantage," Messi said ahead of the weekend fixture.

Messi is already the highest scorer in Clasico matches, having previously fired 21 goals in the fixture.

Madrid travel to Barcelona on Saturday some ten points behind the Catalans.

Adding to the significance of the match, Barcelona are set to mark Saturday’s showpiece with a tribute to Johan Cruyff.

Premier League