Matchday 8 - Player to Watch

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and won a penalty against Real Zaragoza at the Romareda last season. The Argentine gem magnanimously stepped aside to let Zlatan Ibrahimovic take the penalty, helping him to end an unhappy dry spell in front of goal, so really the current World Player of the Year could have had four. Every single goal was a work of art and indeed Messi’s performance that day was one of the most impressive individual displays I have ever seen. On Wednesday he warmed up for this encounter with a brace against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and, as always, he will be the most eagerly anticipated player to step onto the pitch on Saturday night.