Thibaut Courtois not scared of Lionel Messi

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has insisted that he does not fear Barcelona's Lionel Messi ahead of this weekend's La Liga encounter at the Camp Nou.

Spain's top two sides go head to head on Sunday with Atletico six points behind Barca in the table.

Despite Messi recently setting a new record of 86 goals in a calendar year, Courtois is not worried about the Argentine.

"Do I fear Messi? No, no, I am not afraid of anyone," the Belgian told reporters. "He is a great player and we respect him very much, but there is no fear.

"Now we are focused and the team wants to do their best at the Nou Camp. Barcelona have a very good group of players."

Atletico go into the match having won four of their last five matches in the league.