Lionel Messi: Barca friendly can help Celtic secure Champions League rematch with Liga winners

The five-times Ballon d'Or holder will face Brendan Rodgers' side in the International Cup tournament at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday as Barcelona continue their own pre-season preparations.

The match is sandwiched between two crucial fixtures for the Glasgow club, who are level at 1-1 with Astana of Kazakhstan before the return leg of their Champions League qualifying match at Celtic Park on Wednesday.

Celtic will reach the Champions League final play-off round if they don't concede against Astana.

Messi believes being tested by Barca will be ideal preparation for Celtic, a club he admires after some memorable matches in Europe over the past eight years, including a 2-1 defeat to Celtic in Glasgow four years ago.

"For Celtic, they have much more important games than this coming up with the Champions League qualifiers, but this can help them prepare," said Messi in the Daily Record.

"We have had some games against Celtic that I will always remember, and they are a big club, with big fans, and I would like to see them qualify this year - it is where they belong."

Messi has a Celtic shirt at his home, and last year decribed Celtic Park as his favourite stadium in football.

"It is always a good atmosphere against Celtic," said Messi.

"For the players at Barcelona who experienced the games in Europe against them, they will know what to expect from their fans.

"It is only a friendly, but I don’t think their fans know what a friendly is. There are a lot of Celtic fans in Ireland, and I expect them to make a lot of noise and create another special atmosphere.”

Messi says he aims to help Luis Enrique's side win the Champions League "many times" before he quits the game.

“My aims this season is the same as always, to try and win every competition that Barcelona are in. That is what is expected of us as a club, not to prioritise, but to aim and win every competition that we are in," he said.

“The Champions League is always a big competition for Barcelona. It is a special trophy, and one that I would like to win many more times. It is never easier, and this year will be no different. The big teams in Europe have all improved, but we are confident in our squad and confident about the season ahead.”