MADRID (AP)The anticipation surrounding Lionel Messi is building as Barcelona

plays Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in a match that could go a
long way to deciding which team wins the Spanish league title.
Messi scored four goals Tuesday to lead defending Champions League winner
Barcelona to a 4-1 win over Arsenal and into the semifinals.
Messis sublime performance has instilled concern in Madrid over how to stop the
Argentina forward, who has scored 39 goals in all competitions to surpass
his total last season.
I dont talk about myself. Ever, Messi was quoted as saying in Thursdays El
Mundo newspaper. I dont like it and I dont want to. All I want to do is play
football and do the things well. The truth is for me, its a great honor that all of
these things are being talked about.
I dont know what you would call the moment Im in right now but its definitely a
good one.
Madrid and defending champion Barcelona have 77 points at the top of the
standings. Madrid, which won nothing last year, leads on goal difference with eight
rounds left. Valencia, which is third with 56 points, takes on Mallorca.
Barcelona has won three straight matches against its bitter rival, including a record
6-2 win at Santiago Bernabeu stadium last season on the way to claiming the title
and leading to Madrids massive offseason buying spree.