Lionel Messi has only missed three of the last 41 Clasicos
Barça won one, drew one and lost another in those three Clasicos without Messi
Lionel Messi remains a doubt for this Wednesday's Copa Clasico with Real Madrid. Ever since the Argentine established himself at FC Barcelona, he's rarely missed a chance to take on the club's eternal rival. However you don't need to go too far back for the last time this happened.
Earlier this season, after breaking his arm against Sevilla, he wasn't available for the LaLiga clash. Barça went on to win 5-1.
You have to go back considerably further for the time before that when a Clasico didn't include Leo. This was in the 2007/08 season when Frank Rijkaard was head coach. Barça hosted Real Madrid without Messi, who tore a muscle in his leg, and lost 1-0.
Since that moment Messi played in 35 consecutive Clasicos across the league, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League.
The other match in which the Argentine didn't feature was in the 2005/06 season. Once again, he missed out due to injury and Barça drew 1-1.
That means since 19th November 2005, Messi has only missed three Clasicos and all of those came in LaLiga. He's played every minute of Copa Clasicos (6 matches), Champions League Clasicos (2 matches) and Spanish Super Cup Clasicos (6 matches).
