El Clasico: Lionel Messi is fit to play, leaving Barcelona coach 'sleeping like an angel' ahead of Real Madrid clash

Messi has not played since 26 September

(Getty Images)

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has confirmed that superstar forward Lionel Messi will be fit enough to play in today's El Clasico.

The coach refused to say whether Messi, who has not played since picking up an injury on 26 September, will start, instead stating he will decide at some point ahead of kick-off, although he did hint that he was to play from the beginning.

Barcelona travel to the home of their bitter rivals Real Madrid three points ahead of them in La Liga, but Enrique says he is "iceberg" cool about the prospect of facing Rafael Benitez's side.

"All my sensations are positive – not just because we lead the table but for the resources I have at my disposal," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"Messi is back, that is the main thing. He is short of training sessions and it's impossible that he is 100 per cent but it's a guarantee for us that he is with us again."

On whether Messi would start he added: "I don't have it programmed. I will speak to him tomorrow and we will decide. I prefer that he plays but either way it is good news that he is available again."

Earlier in the week Barca stars Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta said that this was the game that got them most excited, Enrique suggested he is just the opposite.

"I'm an iceberg, I don't feel anything. I've never slept better in my career as a coach – I am sleeping like an angel."

Benitez had suggested in his own pre-match conference that Los Blancos were favourites for the game. Enrique said that this game is not as important as is being made out.

"They can play on the break, they can play with the ball," he said. "They are one of the best teams in Europe and therefore the world. But I don't believe they are superior to us. We are only in week 12 of the season so it will not be decisive – we lost the first Clasico last year and won the league."