Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says star forward Lionel Messi is on course to be fit to face Real Madrid on November 21.

Luis Suarez scored either side of a Neymar double as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 Champions League victory over BATE at Camp Nou.

Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi's recovery is proceeding as expected but offered no update on when the Barcelona forward is expected to return to action.

Barcelona's reliance on Lionel Messi should not be considered a bad thing, according to former centre-back Patrik Andersson.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes that he is the best player in the world ahead of Lionel Messi of Barcelona.

Maradona would cost €40m at today's prices, having scored 119 times, won the Primera Division top scorer awards on three occasions and lifted the Youth World Cup in 1979.

Barcelona star Neymar must focus on more than just the attacking aspects of football if he is to be considered among the greats, says Brazilian legend Pele.

Emiliano Insua says the mere presence of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi makes rivals feel afraid and insecure on the pitch.

Even a superstar like Messi of Barcelona needs to evolve to stay ahead of the curve especially when he faces stiff competition from Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

Roberto Carlos, the former Brazil left-back, has no doubts in placing his compatriot Neymar above both his Barcelona team-mate Messi and the Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has responded angrily to reports suggesting Lionel Messi will leave the club, insisting that the reports are "embarrassing".

Injured Barcelona star Lionel Messi has failed to rule out leaving the Treble winners in the future, and has denied he is in competition with Ballon d'Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

Sergio Busquets has hailed Barcelona teammate Neymar for his sizzling form on the pitch, but says the loss of Lionel Messi to injury is still being felt within the Blaugrana team.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke Raul's career Real Madrid scoring record and his 324th goal for Los Blancos also extended his lead over Lionel Messi of Barcelona in this season's La Liga.

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has labelled Barcelona star Lionel Messi the opponent he has had the most difficulty facing.

Pressure on Neymar and Suarez grow with each match as Barcelona look to regain momentum and head the La Liga without Messi in their ranks.

German football idol Lothar Matthaus has thrown his weight behind Lionel Messi to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or, insisting that no-one else merits the award.

Cristiano Ronaldo says he still dreams of finishing his career at Real Madrid and can see himself playing until he is 40.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez says he feels "responsibility" to try and compensate for the loss of Lionel Messi during his injury layoff.

Argentina remain winless in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup without Messi after a 0-0 draw in a physical clash with Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.