Real Madrid striker Benzema: Facing Barcelona always special - even without Messi | OneFootball

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says facing Barcelona is always special - even without Leo Messi.

The two teams are set to face each other on October 24 at the Camp Nou in a derby regarded by the Real Madrid striker as historic due to the world class players who have featured in it over the years.

"For me, it's still the same. It remains the best match that exists in football," Benzema told ESPN.

"It doesn't matter about the players who are there, who have left or who will join. Real Madrid vs Barcelona is historic. The names change but before there was [Zinedine] Zidane, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, [Samuel] Eto'o. Real Madrid vs Barcelona will always be Real Madrid vs Barcelona."

Despite Barcelona's slow start to the season, Benzema is adamant that Los Blancos should not underestimate their opponents and warned against complacency.

"There's never a good moment to play [them]," Benzema added. "A team like Barcelona or any top team, they can have a poor game and then bounce back again. It's a match that we can't take lightly, even if they haven't played well so far."