Upcoming Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is going to be the most awaiting showdown of this season for many reasons: one, it would be the first official game for Suarez for his new side and second, this could be the game when Messi will break the record of scoring maximum number of goals against their arch rivals. Assuming that four times FIFA player of the year award winner would achieve that feat, organizers have planned some innovative things including pausing the game for a moment which is something we have never seen in soccer. Barca sporting director Zubizarreta believes this kind of treatment to a player would be rather ‘strange’ but agrees that this feat is the proudest moment for any player hence can’t be ignored. Messi just trailing by two goals to surpass Telmo Zarra’s La Liga record of 251 goals and there is one game in between the famous Oct 25 clash. Actually, there has been a mixed response after National Professional Football League president Javier Tebas said in an interview that LFP could halt the Clasico to applaud the unprecedented feat by the Argentinean. While some calling it a correct way to tribute someone; there are many as well who take it just an overreaction that would deface the respected game all the way.
Calling these kinds of gestures an American prerogative, Zubizarreta said in a program, “That’s something more common in American sports or with basketball. It would seem strange in football, but it is recognition he deserves. I’ll settle for a goal against Eibar and Madrid and that we win. We have seen the Bernabeu applaud Barca players before and vice-versa.” While adding about another most awaiting star – former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez – he said, “I hope that Luis Enrique will have everyone available for the trip to the Bernabeu. We have started the season well without him so far. Knowing the player, he will be at the Bernabeu before we ask him.
“The manager will choose those that he thinks will go there and win. I recalled that with Suarez’s previous suspensions he always returned by playing against Manchester United.”
He further talked about the pressure Messi and Suarez are going through for Oct 25 game and if it would have any impact over Messi’s chance to rule the feat and said, “I don’t think it affects him. He is very secure; last year at the Bernabeu he scored two. He would’ve preferred to score because it would have helped the team. I know that pitch from preseason and it is not very good. Those things spur him on to do better later.”