Zinedine Zidane Hopes Lionel Messi Misses El Clasico, Talks Toni Kroos and More

Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has put all neutrality to one side after proclaiming he hopes Barcelona star Lionel Messi misses Saturday's El Clasico, reserving praise for Toni Kroos despite his quiet start to this season.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Zidane said he'd rather see his old club face Barca without their talisman, who's in a race against time to be fit for the first El Clasico of the campaign (h/t ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld and Dermot Corrigan):

"

Everyone wants to see Messi on the pitch, all the time. But from Real's point of view I will certainly not say that it'd be good were Messi to take the field.

Do Barcelona need him? Sorry, we are talking about Messi here. Every team in the world would be delighted to have someone like him on board.

"

The former France international made 227 appearances for Los Merengues before retiring in 2006, and it's not surprising to hear Zidane would like to see Real given the best possible chance of prevailing on Saturday.

However, the Castilla coach may not see his wish realised after the Associated Press released footage this week of Messi back in training as he looks to come back from almost two months on the sidelines:

Ex-Barcelona midfielder Xavi, now playing with Al Sadd in Qatar, offered his two cents by detailing what Messi brings to the game, telling ESPN FC's Andy Mitten his former team-mate is the best of all time: "Pele and [Diego] Maradona both made a huge difference, but football has evolved. The players are better than they were, the game is better. Physically, tactically, technically and psychologically, football is better than ever. And Messi stands out as the best at the best time in the history of football."

Messi last featured for the Blaugrana on September 26, and although Luis Suarez and Neymar have done an admirable job of maintaining pressure at the top of La Liga in his absence, Barca are a different beast with Messi present.

While injury has been the Argentinian's main obstacle, Real Madrid counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo has struggled with poor form. But ESPN FC's Corrigan insisted the Portugal captain is still Rafa Benitez's best finisher:

La Liga leaders Barcelona are currently three points ahead of Real, meaning an away win at the Bernabeu would have a drastic influence in deciding the destination of this season's crown.

Zidane also commented on the form of Germany international Kroos, who has made 14 appearances across all competitions this season but failed to recapture his best form since Benitez took charge: "He has changed his game since he got here. We knew that he's used to German football, and that the Spanish game is way different, and is also about beauty, especially here at Real. But he immediately adapted [to] this style. By now, it's hard to believe that he's actually German."

The Frenchman added "we love him" when referring to Kroos, who made 55 appearances for Los Blancos last season after moving to the Spanish capital from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Kroos grew used to a possession-oriented system during his time at the Allianz Arena, but his time in Spain has called for a different approach, and Corrigan went so far as to claim the 25-year-old is "floundering":

He and Luka Modric will be expected to play a major role in limiting the influence of Barca's midfield, with the likes of Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta likely to test his defensive nous.

Real head into what could easily be seen as their most important league fixture of the 2015-16 campaign, and Zidane has thrown his allegiance behind Saturday's hosts to pull level in the La Liga race.