BARCELONA, España (AP) — El astro del Barcelona Lionel Messi regresó malhumorado de su último partido con la selección argentina, un empate sin goles con Arabia Saudita. Y la figura del Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, ni siquiera jugó con Portugal ante Gabón, al ser descartado por no haberse recuperado aún del golpe en el ojo que sufrió en la pasada fecha de la liga española de fútbol.

De vuelta de la fecha internacional de la FIFA, ambos futbolistas regresan con ansia goleadora al torneo doméstico, deseosos de recuperar impulso en la carrera por el campeonato y, de paso, su particular pugna por el trofeo Balón de Oro.

Previo a la disputa de la 12da fecha y tras superar los 75 goles del brasileño Pelé en un año calendario, Messi lidera la tabla de cañoneros con 15 dianas, seguido del incansable Cristiano, con 12.

El azulgrana tendrá oportunidad de desquitarse el sábado frente al Zaragoza, 11er clasificado y el quinto equipo que más goles encaja en la liga, a pesar de las altas prestaciones de su arquero, Roberto Jiménez.

Sin el concurso del chileno Alexis Sánchez, nuevamente lesionado con su selección, pero pendiente del posible regreso de su capitán Carles Puyol tras seis semanas de baja, el Barsa cuenta con que Messi vuelva a mezclar bien con David Villa y Pedro Rodríguez, ambos goleadores en la paliza de España a Panamá por 5-1.

El partido se jugará en la jornada adelantada del sábado, que cierra con la visita del Athletic de Bilbao al coloso Santiago Bernabéu.

El equipo del argentino Marcelo Bielsa también flaquea en defensa, donde figura como tercer conjunto más goleado, y tendrá la difícil empresa de puntuar en el estadio madridista, donde los blancos han ganado cuatro de sus cinco partidos disputados.

El Madrid viene de imponerse en un choque a cara de perro ante el Levante y suma cuatro victorias seguidas en su afán por dar caza al Barsa, líder destacado con 31 puntos: tres más que el Atlético de Madrid y ocho de ventaja sobre el equipo de José Mourinho.

El técnico portugués sigue sin poder contar con el argentino Gonzalo Higuaín, pero recupera para la cita al goleador Karim Benzema y espera que un descansado Cristiano siga martilleando el arco bilbaíno. Las estadísticas son desalentadoras el Athletic, que ha perdido en sus siete últimas visitas al estadio blanco, encajando media docena de tantos del portugués.

La programación sabatina abre con la visita del Málaga del chileno Manuel Pellegrini al colista Osasuna.

El Valencia, irregular y sin el sancionado Aly Cissohko, afrontará la visita de un desquiciado Espanyol, penúltimo clasificado y con elecciones presidenciales a la vista. El futuro del técnico argentino Mauricio Pochettino empieza a cuestionarse en el club "periquito" y, curiosamente, su compatriota y tocayo, Mauricio Pellegrino, podría convertirse en su verdugo, aunque el valencianista no podrá sentarse en el banquillo por cumplir su segundo partido de castigo.

El Atlético de Madrid, que compite en la Liga Europa, entra en escena el domingo en cancha del Granada. El cuadro del argentino Diego Simeone perdió su único partido liguero en su anterior salida, pero afronta con optimismo sus próximos compromisos, con vistas a alcanzar el clásico madrileño del 1 de diciembre por encima del Real.

"Estamos en un buen momento y estoy convencido de que estaremos arriba, pero aún es pronto para hablar del título", comentó el colombiano Radamel Falcao, tercer máximo goleador con 10 dianas.

Betis y Levante, los otros ocupantes de puestos europeos, visitan respectivamente al Sevilla y Deportivo La Coruña. El derbi sevillano se presenta especialmente jugoso por el cambio de papeles: los locales, 10mos clasificados persiguen a los béticos, los terceros que más golean a domicilio.

Los cotejos Celta de Vigo-Mallorca y Getafe-Valladolid completan la jornada, mientras que la fecha cierra el lunes con la visita del Rayo Vallecano a la Real Sociedad.

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  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi looks at the cup as he and his teammates parade on a bus through a crowd of supporters celebrating in the streets of Barcelona on May 13, 2013, two days after their team won the Spanish league. The Catalans didn't even need to set foot on the pitch to seal the title on May 11 as Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Espanyol meant Barca had already been crowned champions before their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on May 12, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FC Barcelona Celebrate Winning The Spanish Liga With A Victory Parade

    BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 13: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with team-mates on an open top bus during their victory parade after winning the Spanish Liga title on May 13, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-LIGA-ATLETICO-MADRID-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Spanish league football match Atletico de Madrid vs Barcelona on May 12, 2013 at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. AFP PHOTO/ PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU (Photo credit should read PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images)

  • The Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi No. 10 by Audermas Piguet, is pictured with the jersey of the national soccer team of Argentina during an auction preview at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The sale is scheduled on May 11 for the Leo Messi Foundation. (AP Photo/Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott)

  • Club Atletico de Madrid v FC Barcelona - La Liga

    MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Lionel Messi (L) of FC Barcelona gets past Tiago Cardoso Mendez of Club Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Vicente Calderon Stadium on May 12, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, escapes PSG's Marco Verratti, from Italy, during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, smiles during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, from Sweden, left, shakes hands with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, at the end of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina,who started the game on the bench, replaces teammate Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, looks at Barcelona's head coach Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova, left, as he replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, right, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, left, replaces Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-BARCELONA-PSG

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Alex Costa (L) during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 10, 2013. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his leg during the Champions League quarter-final football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Paris St Germain v Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final

    PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 02: Lionel Messi of Barcelona and David Beckham of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona FCB at Parc des Princes on April 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-BARCELONA

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarter-final football match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 2, 2013. AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD (Photo credit should read KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores the opening goal while Paris Saint Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu of Italy looks on during their Champions League quarterfinal soccer match in Paris,Tuesday, April 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-BOL-ARG

    Argentina's Lionel Messi gestures during the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Bolivia, at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, on March 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi sits on the pitch during a World Cup 2014 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

  • Ever Banega, Clemente Rodriguez, Lionel Messi

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  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi smiles during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi watches teammates during a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • Lionel Messi

    Argentina's Lionel Messi leaves the field after a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Argentina will face Venezuela in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Buenos Aires on March 22. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi gives the thumb up during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-WC2014-QUALIFIERS-ARG-TRAINING

    Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (C) poses for pictures with supporters during a training session in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires on March 19, 2013 ahead of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier football match against Venezuela on March 22. AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata (Photo credit should read JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

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    A Japanese woman inspects the wax figure of football star Lionel Messi at a press preview of Madame Tussauds museum in Tokyo on March 13, 2013. Tokyo's Madame Tussauds museum will exhibit some 60 wax figures of Japanese and foreign stars when it re-opens on March 15. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's defender Jordi Alba, right, hugs teammate Lionel Messi, from Argentina, after he scored their second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's forward Lionel Messi, from Argentina, celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between FC Barcelona and AC Milan at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID

    Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish Cup semi-final second-leg football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during a Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after losing the Copa del Rey soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts during their La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina makes thumbs-up sign during their La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Victor Ruiz, Lionel Messi

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  • Lionel Messi

    Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates after scoring against Valencia during their La Liga soccer match at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

  • Lionel Messi

    FC Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi poses with the trophy after being awarded the FIFA Men's World Player of the Year during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan 7, 2013. Messi was named FIFA Men's World Player of the Year for a record-breaking fourth successive year. (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri)

  • From left: Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, Spain's Andres Iniesta and Argentina's Lionel Messi, the nominees for the FIFA Men's World Soccer Player of the Year Award, attend a press conference during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • Argentina's Lionel Messi arrives on the red carpet prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or soccer Gala 2013 held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

  • FBL-FIFA-BALLONDOR

    FIFA Ballon d'Or award winner Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi holds his trophy during the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on January 7, 2013. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina receives the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2012 trophy on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina attends the press conference with nominees for World Player of the Year and World Coach of the Year for Men's Football prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at Congress House on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2012

    ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 07: Lionel Messi of Argentina poses during the red carpet arrivals of the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at Congress House on January 7, 2013 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

  • Barcelona's midfielder Xavi Hernandez (C) celebrates with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) and Barcelona's defender Jordi Alba after scoring during the Spanish league football match Valladolid vs FC Barcelona at the Jose Zorilla stadium in Valladolid on December 22, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Real Valladolid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga

    VALLADOLID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 22: Xavi Hernandez of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Lionel Messi after scoring against Real Valladolid during the La Liga game between Real Valladolid and FC Barcelona at Jose Zorrilla on December 22, 2012 in Valladolid, Spain. (Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images)