Messi's presence missed despite El Clasico victory.

Barcelona impressed against Real Madrid without Lionel Messi, but Ernesto Valverde said the superstar was still missed.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was presence in the stands during the 5-1 drubbing of arch-rivals Real Madrid (File Photo)

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insisted his team was still missing Lionel Messi despite its comprehensive win in El Clasico.

With Messi sidelined due to a broken arm, Luis Suarez took centre stage at Camp Nou on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Real Madrid.

Philippe Coutinho and Arturo Vidal were also on target for Barcelona as its huge win piled the pressure on under-fire Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui.

But Valverde, whose team hold a one-point lead at the top of La Liga, said Barcelona was missing Messi.

Related | Clasico thrashing without Messi a 'great achievement', says Busquets

"For us, since last week when he got injured, we were probably thinking how we would respond on the pitch," he told a news conference.

"There's only one answer, you have to respond as a team and that's what we've done. The result could've been different but that's the only answer we can give you.

"We're delighted for the team but obviously the sooner he's back the better for us because we miss him. We want him back tomorrow."

Messi is expected to miss another two weeks due to his broken arm, with Barcelona next in action against Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.