ARGENTINE HAS SCORED 18 TIMES IN 'CLÁSICO' - Messi: a Real nightmare

Leo Messi is always extra pumped when he faces Real Madrid. The Argentine has scored 18 times against 'Los Blancos', conjuring up goals of all shapes and sizes with extraordinary consistency, starting with a hat-trick back in 2006-07. Against Real, he is always right on the money.

Beyond that, Messi always comes up with the goods when Barça needs him, just like he did in Milan on Tuesday, when he bagged the equaliser. He has performed a similar rescue act on several occasions this season.

The pint-sized forward's knack for goal is simply amazing. Barcelona has scored 37 goals in all competitions this season, of which Messi has netted almost a third (12).

The Argentine has been averaging over a goal a match for three straight seasons now, with this year's record reading 12 in 11. The big difference, however, is that he's playing significantly less this campaign. This is not only down to his injury troubles, but also owing to Tata Martino's rotation policy, which aims to make sure his compatriot is firing on all cylinders come the business end of the season.

Messi's importance to the Barcelona set-up is clear as day. Not only does he score by the bucketload, but his goals often decide matches. Barça currently tops both the 'La Liga' table and its Champions League group, but the Catalan club would not be riding so high if you took away the Argentine's goals.