Lionel Messi has compared Barcelona's mouthwatering clash against eternal rivals Real Madrid later this month to the bitter South American rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. Barca host Real in the second El Clasico fixture of the season on March 22 - with both teams tussling for the La Liga title. The Catalan club currently hold a one-point advantage over Carlo Ancelotti's side with just 12 games of the season remaining. Lionel Messi has compared Barcelona's fierce rivalry with Real Madrid to Brazil versus Argentina . Messi (pictured, centre, playing for Argentina in 2008) has played in many tense encounters against Brazil . Messi (pictured, centre, playing for Barca in 2011) has scored more El Clasico goals than anyone in history . The diminutive No 10 (centre right) enjoyed a BBQ with his Barcelona team-mates on Wednesday afternoon . Messi spoke in an interview with FourFourTwo . And looking ahead to the Nou Camp encounter Messi, who has scored more Clasico goals than anyone else in the history of the fixture, describes the occasion as one to relish. 'The Clasico, which is coming up later in this month, is obviously a special game,' he told FourFourTwo Magazine. 'It's important for what it means to everyone involved, from the players to the fans. 'It's an event all around the world. As a player, though, you have to treat it like any other game. Like any derby, there's something extra to the game. 'They're amazing to play in and it's a fixture I've been very lucky to score a lot of goals in. 'I think on the international stage, Brazil vs Argentina is similar to Real Madrid v Barca. Both matches involve big teams who have a great rivalry, the main difference being that for the former it's all about the countries, while Barcelona isn't just about the city, but the fans from afar who have feelings for the club.' The 27-year-old is enjoying another wonderful season at Barcelona having netted an incredible 41 goals so far. Messi scored a hat-trick in Sunday's 6-1 La Liga win at home to Rayo Vallecano - his fifth treble of the campaign. Speaking about what makes him so special, the dimunitive No 10 insists his genius is all instinctive. 'Some people say my style of play is innate, but I'm not sure if that's me, or not. Honestly, I do play on instinct,' he added. 'On the pitch, I’m always looking for the best move or decision at any given time. I never want to do what the opposition would be expecting.' Messi (centre) scored a hat-trick as Barcelona won 6-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Sunday . To read the full  interview with Lionel Messi it is available in either print of digital format via the FourFourTwo Magazine website.
Barcelona entertain eternal rivals Real Madrid in La Liga on March 22 . Barca currently sit one point above Real at the top of the table . Lionel Messi has scored more El Clasico goals than anyone in history .