Sanchez: Barca lead offers no guarantees

Alexis Sanchez says the race for the La Liga title is very much in its infancy, despite Barcelona leading Real Madrid by eight points.

Barca, the 2010/11 Liga champions, are two points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, and will look to maintain their lead with victory away to Sevilla on Saturday.

“We’ve got an important match on Saturday against Sevilla,” he said.

“We are eight points ahead of Real Madrid, but there is still a long way to go until we win La Liga.”

Chile international Sanchez, who joined the club from Udinese last year, praised team-mate Lionel Messi and believes Barca’s star man will retain the prestigious FIFA Ballon D’or this year.

“I believe in Lionel (Messi). He plays in almost every match, and he scores in nearly every match, and is always a threat.”