Pablo Zabaleta is hoping to mastermind a rare success over fellow Argentine Lionel Messi on Tuesday night.
The Manchester City full-back has beaten his fellow countryman just once in his career and now gets the chances when Barcelona come to town for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg.
Zabaleta explained past meetings with Messi and is determined to produce an uncommon winning result over the goalscoring maestro.
"I have beaten him, although obviously not many times," said Zabaleta.
"I think it was just once in my three years at Espanyol at home, at Montjuic, the Olympic Stadium.
"The last time Espanyol beat Barcelona was at the Camp Nou. (Ivan) De la Pena scored two goals, but I was not there.
"So hopefully it will happen again on Tuesday. I hope so. Maybe we can play a good game and beat Barca this time."
Zabaleta also suggested that once he steps onto the pitch, his Argentina teammate will no longer be a friend.
"I haven't spoken to him because there is nothing to say," he added.
"I'm just going to see him on Tuesday. I always wish the best to Messi, but once the game starts, we are friends no more."
