Lionel Messi Goal Tribute Won't Take Place in El Clasico, Confirms Spanish FA

Lionel Messi is just two goals from breaking Telmo Zarra's all-time La Liga goalscoring record of 251, but if he achieves the feat during Saturday's Clasico tie with Real Madrid, the match won't be stopped to honour him.

A spokesman for the Spanish FA has confirmed no special measures will be put in place, despite previous suggestions a match-stopping celebration could go ahead with FIFA giving permission for such an event to take place, per Jamie Kemp of Inside Spanish Football.

Marca reported official comments on the matter: "We haven't even considered it. No one has approached us about anything. We haven't received any requests from Barcelona. We know that the idea has been mooted in the press, but we aren't considering staging anything."

The spokesman added, "I don't even know if it's within the rules. It's something that's never come up before."

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It is also something which is unlikely to come up again in the near future. Zarra's record has stood for nearly 60 years, since his prolific days with Athletic Bilbao in the 1950s.

Considering Messi is only 27 and could have a decade of football left in him, it's unlikely his eventual total will ever be topped. Stars of his quality generally don't stick to one division in modern football, meaning he could set an unreachable target.

Javier Tebas, president of the Spanish professional football league, previously suggested the Bernabeu could host a tribute to the player if he nets a brace in the match. Marca's Mari Carmen Torres highlighted his rhetorical question, "Why can't we pay tribute to Messi at the Bernabeu?"

Additional comments from Tebas were posted by AS: "I am thinking of ideas but the homage has to be a tribute that lasts forever. We must never forget it in La Liga, it should always stay with us. If the time comes and he beats the record we will have to reflect upon it because it will be an historic moment."

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Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta later suggested it would be "odd" for Messi to be celebrated in the presence of the Blaugrana's great rivals, per Esport3 (h/t Marca).

While Madrid fans have shown appreciation for Barca stars before—highlighted when they applauded Ronaldinho's match-winning performance in El Clasico—it is never guaranteed rival supporters would show the same level of respect or appreciation for opposing players. 

Cristiano Ronaldo recently received an ovation from Liverpool supporters for his display during Madrid's 3-0 Champions League win, despite the No. 7's affiliation with Manchester United. SamuelJayC highlighted the moment while suggesting Ronaldo and Messi deserve praise no matter your allegiance:

La Liga specialist Jason Pettigrove also considered how both players deserve love from unlikely sources:

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague considered how the rivalry will play out during the Clasico, as told to B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

It would also be something of a disappointment for Messi to not celebrate his inevitable record-breaking achievement in front of his own supporters. His goals have positively impacted their lives over the years, so it's only just he receives a proper showing of appreciation.

Stopping an important fixture partway through also brings about its own risks. Players could become increasingly prone to injury and would need to warm up again, while the hubbub of the occasion would impact travel arrangements for those attending.

Messi deserves a properly planned salute, situated in Barcelona, after a decade of service to the club. Whether he even reaches the milestone in Madrid is perhaps the most important issue, as if he does, Barca are likely to extend their unbeaten run atop La Liga.