El Clásico could be paused to honour Messi, if he beats Zarra record

LFP president Javier Tebas believes that due tribute should be paid to Argentine star Lionel Messi, once he surpasses the Liga scoring record of the legendary Telmo Zarra, though what he has in mind could be somewhat unique for the Barcelona player, particularly if the feat is achieved in the midst of El Clásico against Real Madrid. Lionel Messi currently has 249 La Liga goals to his name and rather than being a case of “if” he will reach the 251 of the legendary Telmo Zarra, it’s more a question of “when” he’ll reach such an extraordinary milestone, to match his extraordinary talents. Clearly, surpassing the long-standing record achievement of the great Telmo Zarra will be a momentous occasion, for Messi himself and for La Liga as a competition. As such and speaking at a football debate in Barcelona, LFP president Javier Tebas told journalists, “It will be an important historic moment. Messi will deserve some form of tribute and if he surpasses the record of Zarra, we should pause to reflect on what will be such a historic moment.” Whilst few would disagree that paying tribute to achieving such a feat, is richly deserved, Javier Tebas hasn’t ruled out the extraordinarily interesting step of stopping the match for a few moments, when Messi does score his 252nd goal and creates the new all-time La Liga scoring record. This raised a particularly interesting question from the journalists listening intently to Tebas, who asked if stopping a game in its midsts to pay homage to Messi, might also include El Clásico at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid, on Saturday 25th October. “Why not?” Smiled the LFP president, clearly aware that there’s every chance that it could indeed happen. Of course Messi could spoil such an eventuality by scoring a hat-trick against Eibar at the Camp Nou on Saturday 18th October, in which case the “tribute” will be made before home fans. However, if the Barça star is still waiting on that record breaking 252nd goal, when he takes to the pitch against Real Madrid, on their turf and in the already blazing atmosphere of a Clásico encounter, what a remarkable scenario that would be. Indeed, it almost seems like fate.