Carlo Ancelotti warns Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane not to mention the name 'Lionel Messi' ahead of Barcelona clash

Former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the best way of preparing to face Lionel Messi is to avoid speaking about him, claiming any plans for special treatment only makes players more 'afraid'.

Barcelona host Madrid at the Nou Camp on Saturday night, with Luis Enrique's side 10 points clear of their third-placed rivals, with Atletico Madrid nine points adrift in second. 

Messi is fresh from helping Argentina record back-to-back wins on international duty in his quest to reach the 2018 World Cup, and he will be part of a star-studded Barcelona line-up hoping to put the final nail in the coffin for Madrid's La Liga title hopes. 

Carlo Ancelotti believes Real Madrid will be better off not speaking about Lionel Messi in the dressing room

Ancelotti believes the best way of preparing to face the Barcelona forward is to avoid speaking about him

Ancelotti believes coming up with a game-plan to stop the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is futile given his unrivalled ability to elude his marker in finding a route to goal, and the Italian had a clear message for the visitors.

'To prepare a game for Messi is impossible,' Ancelotti told Goal.com. 

'Messi is a fantastic talent and if you are to prepare for a game against Messi, well, you have to avoid speaking about Messi, about the skill and the ability of Messi.'

The 28-year-old has 37 goals in all competitions to his name already this season, and while Neymar and Luis Suarez will provide the Madrid defence with just as many problems on Saturday, there is no question that Barcelona are a different proposition without their all-time record goalscorer.  

Messi scored for Argentina on international duty against Bolivia and he will look to add to his tally on Saturday

Ancelotti has the utmost respect for the 28-year-old and has called on Madrid to remain focused on their game

No player has scored more than Messi's 21 goals in El Clasico history and Ancelotti, who won two of his five games against Barcelona during his time at the Bernabeu, is full of admiration for a player who ought not to be mentioned in the dressing-room.

'Messi is a fantastic talent and if you speak to your players about the skills of Messi, then the players will be afraid because I think he is a top talent,' added Ancelotti, who lifted the Copa del Rey whilst in the Spanish capital after overcoming Barcelona 2-1 in the final.

'So, the most important thing is to avoid speaking about Messi and, as I said before, to be focused on your game.'