Lionel Messi all smiles as world waits to see if Barcelona star will be back for El Clasico

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Barcelona travel to arch rivals Real Madrid for El Clasico on Saturday
Lionel Messi returned to training this week after almost two months out
Argentina superstar was spotted picking up son Thiago with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo

Published: 12:37 EST, 19 November 2015 | Updated: 23:26 EST, 19 November 2015

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As the football world waits with baited breath to find if Lionel Messi will return from injury to take part in this weekend's El Clasico, the Barcelona superstar appeared relax as he picked up his young son on Thursday.

Messi and his partner Antonella Roccuzzo arrived to collect their son Thiago from school - with the Argentina captain clearly enjoying giving the three-year-old, who was dressed in Spiderman outfit, a ride on his shoulders as they headed back to their car.

The 28-year-old has just returned to training after almost two mouths out with a knee injury as he steps up his recovery in a bid to travel to Spain's capital for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with arch rivals Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi enjoys giving his three-year-old son Thiago a ride on his shoulders at the end of school

Messi arrives with his long-term partner Antonella Roccuzzo to pick their son up from school on Thursday

Barcelona's Instagram account showed Messi had returned to training this week after almost two months out

Iniesta: "The Messi feeling is good. Between today and tomorrow we will see how he is for Saturday" #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/yEj5YK7CZ0
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 19, 2015

Iniesta: "Having Messi is fundamental, but if he can't play then we have sufficient players" #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/LhWxI8jnc4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 19, 2015

Despite not featuring since the game against Las Palmas in September and the free-scoring form of Neymar and Luis Suarez, the reigning La Liga champions are hoping their talisman will return to play some part in the game.

Barca's official Instagram account posted a picture of their No 10 training on Tuesday along with the caption: FC 'Barcelona trained for the second time this week with all available first-team players.'

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Andres Iniesta said he had a 'good feeling' that the four time Ballon d'Or winner would play a part in arguably their most important game of the season.

'The feeling on Messi is good. Between today and tomorrow we will see how he is for Saturday,' he said.

'If we have Messi from the start we have a better chance of winning. Afterwards we can analyse it and see if we've made the right decision.

'Having Leo with us is fundamental for us but, if he can't play, we still have players in the squad capable of competing with Real Madrid,' he added.

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta has a 'good feeling' that Messi will be fit for El Clasico

Barcelona will be hoping their talisman can play some part in the weekend's Clasico with Real Madrid

Messi takes part in a training session, although it is not guaranteed that he will be fit to face their arch rivals

With 11 matches played, Barca, who are chasing a sixth La Liga title in eight years, lead Real by three points, with Atletico Madrid a further point behind in third.

Meanwhile, Suarez insists that Real Madrid team-mates will not target Messi's injury if his team-mate does make a comeback on Saturday.

The former Liverpool hitman said at a press conference: 'I don't think anybody will try to hit Sergio Ramos' shoulder and I do not think anyone will try to hit Messi's knee either.'

He added: 'We are colleagues and professionals.'

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez believes Real Madrid players will not target Messi's injury should he play

The Argentine forward tore his knee ligaments in Barcelona's game against Las Palmason September 26

While both sides will be determined to get one over their rivals, Suarez recognises that the league campaign is a marathon rather than a sprint and the result will not necessarily decide the title race.

He commented: 'Games like El Clasico are the ones that are decided by great players, but it will not be decisive in the race for the league title.

'There are still a lot of games left and Atletico Madrid also have a role to play.'