Messi Speaks: Barcelona to Overthrow Real Madrid, Win La Liga

Defeat on Sunday would have effectively ended the Catalans' title hopes, but Messi's stoppage-time victor - his 500th goal for the club - saw them move level on points with their arch-rivals instead.

The 32-year-old is reportedly one of the Italian's idols and to play in the same team as him is another draw. Find us on Facebook too!

Gonzalo Higuain broke the deadlock in this one but that was about as good as it got for Madrid.

You do not score 500 goals for a club, just by your skills, it is also about dedication and practising the sport to become a better player.

Heading into Sunday's Clásico, Madrid had a three-point lead on Barcelona in La Liga table, plus a game in hand.

The Madrid man's red card helped cost his team three points and Pique said: 'Ramos is going to regret that challenge when he gets home.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insisted on Tuesday he will revel in his memories of coaching Lionel Messi, rather than miss him when he steps down at the end of the season.

"After so many years he is still decisive". He is an honour for us and a blessing for the club. We will keep doing our best to try to win matches.

The Argentine was still down by Ronaldo drilled another fine effort towards goal that Marc-Andre ter Stegen did well to parry to safety. And without him able to make a difference, Barcelona were able to revive what had looked a moribund title race.

"He's the player that makes the difference, a very special player", said the German goalkeeper.

Messi then virtually put the tie to bed with two late goals. He has scored 14 goals in his last 10 Spanish league games, and is the competition's leading scorer with 31 goals, seven more than teammate Luis Suarez and 12 more than Ronaldo.

Another setback in the final rounds of the Spanish league could leave the title in the hands of Barcelona, which is carrying all the momentum after the last-minute win against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium over the weekend.

Messi had cancelled out Casemiro's opener before half time. The visitors' section was behind that same goal, but in the opposite side of where Messi ran to celebrate.

There were some more serious faces though, including Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps still brooding at being overshadowed by Lionel Messi in the Clasico - Ronaldo's main rival scored the victor, his 500th club goal.

"Leo's 500th goal had to be special, just like he is", Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said.