Messi: I am expecting a very strong Real Madrid in the Clasico Barcelona Presented his new boots

Barcelona will face Real Madrid on December 18, one week's time, and Lionel Messi believes that Zinedine Zidane's men will be in good shape at the Camp Nou.

The Argentine emphasised the idiosyncrasy of a derby game such as the Clasico, where anything can happen.

"I expect a very strong Madrid," Messi said during the presentation of his new Adidas Nemesis 19 boots.

"They are very decent in these games.

"They are special matches, no matter how one or the other comes into it.

"We are both in good form, but they are moments [where the form book goes out the window]."

Messi went on to make clear that Barcelona shouldn't fall into the loop of recalling mistakes from the past, should they want to progress in the Champions League.

"We must start from scratch because it is a new year, a new competition," he continued.

"We learn from the past, from mistakes, and focus on the present.

"It would be a mistake to fall into that [trap] again."

The Blaugrana captain also discussed the improvement of competition in LaLiga Santander, where no game can be taken for granted by the top clubs.

"It is not just this year; you can notice it for several years now," Messi added.

"Everything is more even - anyone beats anyone.

"It is difficult to play as an away team because the hosts have become very strong.

"That makes everything more complicated. Everything is more even."