Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is hopeful that Lionel Messi will recover from injury in time to face Real Madrid on November 21.

The Argentina international has been sidelined since September after tearing a ligament in his left knee during a league match against Las Palmas.

Defending Spanish champions Barca are top of the league standings, three points clear of Real heading into the first ‘El Clasico’ of the campaign at the Bernabeu.

When asked if Messi would be fit for the encounter in Madrid, Bartomeu said to Marca: “I hope he can play. He is recovering within the time frame that we set out.”

Barca have won four on the trot in La Liga and will be hoping to continue that run when they face Real Madrid after the international break.

“Our aim is to beat our rivals,” Bartomeu said.

“We hope that all the players that are currently with their national teams return without injuries and with a lot of strength.”

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