Catalan derby set to triumph as China's Wu Lei faces Messi

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For almost a decade, the world's two best players, Messi and Ronaldo, while competing in the Spanish La Liga drew plenty of attention as Messi generously enjoyed the challenge that brought.

Messi-Ronaldo dominance blew away following the Portuguese forward's departure from Serie A to join Juventus, while for Messi, who plays for Barcelona, it will not be easy to return into action after an international break.

On Saturday, the Argentine superstar will face Chinese forward Wu Lei for the first time when Barcelona takes on Espanyol at a Catalan derby clash at the iconic Camp Nou stadium.

For Espanyol, who have lived in the shadows of city rivals Barcelona for decades, Wu's arrival has raised the club's profile.

Wu is only the second Chinese player to make it in Spanish soccer. Therefore, the Catalan derby has generated more excitement in China than the highly entertaining "El Clasico" between arch-rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Espanyol's Wu Lei celebrates after scoring his first goal in La Liga during the match against Real Valladolid, March 02, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to La Liga, over 40 million Chinese television viewers were watching when Espanyol finally played him as a late substitute in a 3-1 win at Villarreal in January, this despite the fact that his playing time was only 12 minutes. Wu also scored his first La Liga goal during the match, which generated 14 times more reaction on social media than the goal Messi scored in China.

Wu arrived in January when Espanyol was in serious danger of the drop after a terrible run of form. His debut, away to Villarreal at the beginning of February, saw the club stop the rot by earning a 2-2 draw.

A home victory over Rayo Vallecano, followed by consecutive draws against Valencia and Huesca, finally came along with a historic moment of his first goal in La Liga in the 3-1 win over Valladolid.

A 1-0 defeat at home to Sevilla was the only game Espanyol have lost since he came into the side. Espanyol now rank a comfortable 13th place, nine points above the drop zone.

The 27-year-old all-time top scorer with 102 goals in the Chinese Super League (CSL) has helped Espanyol climb the table on a run of just one defeat in seven games and already convinced both Coach Rubi and local fans of his talent.

He's a mass phenomenon, both on and off the field.

Espanyol's striker Wu Lei prepares for the Catalan derby. /VCG Photo

"He's one of the most important transfers for Espanyol in recent years but on the media level he is probably the most important," acknowledged Espanyol's director of marketing Agusti Filomeno.

"He has surprised us," midfield Victor Sanchez spoke highly of his teammate, adding that "he has an eye for goal."

Rubi stressed that it's a battle between Espanyol and Barcelona, not a comparison in person. However, the Chinese winger will not hide the excitement in front of the Barcelona captain, his long-time idol Messi.

The dream Wu carries with him, since he was a ball boy during the preparation match for 2008 Beijing Olympics, of having a photo with two of his idols, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, will now come true. This time the two will meet again but as foes on the pitch.

The derby will be played at 23:15 BJT on Saturday and that will truly be a football feast for Chinese football fans.

Will Wu manage to help Espanyol clinch their first victory at Camp Nou in ten years?