Cesc Fabregas: "I would sign up for a Real Madrid-Barcelona final."

Fabregas started in Messi's false nine role in Barca's quarter-final second leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain, and struggled to have an impact on the game. The Argentine entered from the bench in the second half, despite not being 100% fit, and almost immediately helped orchestrate the equaliser which saw the Catalan side through on away goals.

The ex-Arsenal man told Radio station RAC 1 that he both hoped and expected his team-mate to be fit for next week's game, as the PSG performance had demonstrated how Barca missed him when he was not there.

"[Messi] is working well," Fabregas said. "He is a player with a lot of character and personality and he will be ready for the game. We feel more secure on the pitch when he is there, as the game against PSG showed. What he gives us nobody else can."

Fabregas said he would take a Barcelona against Real Madrid Champions League final right now if he was offered it, despite the often fraught relationship between the two La Liga giants.

"I would sign up for a Real Madrid-Barcelona final," he said. "It would be a very important game in the history of football. But first we must think about the semi-final against Bayern. It will be really tough. Colossal."