Messi's stats against Diego Simeone

Messi is one of those players for whom the opponent is largely irrelevant. The Argentine always steps up and performs be it via finding the net himself or laying on chances for his team-mates.

Atletico Madrid have been Spain's "third club" for quite some years now, but that hasn't stopped Messi from remaining unbeaten in the league when facing the 'Colchoneros' and winning over half of his games against the Madrid-based outfit.

In total, Messi has faced Atleti on 23 occasions, winning 13, losing two and drawing eight, scoring 11 goals in the process.

The Rosario-born star's favourite competition is quite clearly LaLiga, in which he has never tasted defeat in 13 games against Atletico (W9, D4) and found the net nine times.

Indeed, Messi remains unbeaten in the Copa del Rey, recording three wins and a draw in four meetings.

The only blots on Messi's copybook come from the Champions League, in which Barca have been beaten twice by the 'Rojiblancos', as well as drawing once and claiming a solitary victory in four games, all without Messi finding the net.

Interestingly, the diminutive forward hasn't scored in either the the Spanish Super Cup clashes between the two sides, with Barca claiming the trophy on both occasions after the games ended in draws.