Football
9y

FIFA 'backs clasico break should Lionel Messi net Liga record vs. Real Madrid'

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FIFA would have no objections to the stoppage of Real Madrid's clasico clash against Barcelona mid-game to honour Lionel Messi should he break the Liga all-time goal-scoring record, according to German news agency dpa.

The FIFA spokesperson, however, clarified that such matters are the domain of individual federations.

"The issue depends on the federation of the country. There is nothing specific in the rules about this," the spokesperson told dpa.

Messi goes into Saturday's game at the Bernabeu just one goal short of Telmo Zarra's record of 251, and a brace against Barca's fierce rivals would ensure he surpasses Zarra's tally.

National Professional Football League (LFP) president Javier Tebas said that the LFP could potentially pause the clasico to mark the the 27-year-old's achievement were he to break the record during the game.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said they have no plans for a mid-game stoppage.

"We have not received any request from Barcelona, we know of the existence of this proposal by the newspapers, but we are not considering doing anything," RFEF said via statement.

Messi said the important thing is that Barca win Saturday's clasico to cement top spot in the league, rather than him breaking an individual record.

Speaking after Barca's 3-1 Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday night, he said: "We will go there to do the best possible and to win. Nothing will be decided, and there will still be a lot of Liga left, but we will go to try and win and to play well. Zarra's record is the least important thing; what matters is to play well and win there."

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