Date: January 15, 2005Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. UD SalamancaCompetition: Copa del Rey – Round of 32Venue: Camp Nou, BarcelonaWeather: Cold, clear skies, 5°CAttendance: 45,000
The stands weren't packed, but the eyes were sharper than ever.Among them sat Argentina's U-20 scout, a few representatives from Ligue 1, and a technical director from Ajax.
Messi noticed none of them. He was in his own zone — headphones in, tying his boots tightly, stretching in rhythm.
Rijkaard gathered the squad in the tunnel. "No heroics. No sloppiness. We finish this fast and clean."
Then he turned to Leo.
"Enjoy yourself tonight. But remember… they're all watching now."
Messi gave the faintest nod.
"I'm used to that now."
The whistle blew, and Salamanca came in fast.Not technically gifted — but bold. Tenacious. Fearless.They played like men who knew this might be the only time they stood under the lights of Camp Nou.
The opening minutes were scrappy. Salamanca pressed high. Barcelona stayed composed.
In the 6th minute, Messi dropped into the half-space to receive a quick pass from Iniesta. A defender lunged in with studs up — Messi turned inside just in time.
A roar from the crowd. A warning from the ref.
He got up, dusted off his knees, and shook his head — not at the player, but at the sloppiness of it.Then, he got back into position. Quiet. Focused.
In the 13th minute, the breakthrough came.
Ronaldinho spotted Messi making a diagonal run between center-back and fullback. The ball floated perfectly. Messi controlled it mid-air with his left foot, killing its speed instantly. A defender closed in — Messi faked a cut inside, then flicked the ball around with a backheel.
It rolled across the six-yard box.
Eto'o didn't miss.GOAL. 1–0.
The crowd cheered for Eto'o.But the applause after?That was for Messi's touch.
Salamanca didn't fold.In the 24th minute, a deflected corner forced Valdés into a diving save.But Messi… he stayed sharp.
Every time he touched the ball, two defenders closed him. He didn't fight it. He welcomed it.Because that's when space opened elsewhere.
He dropped deeper again, pulling the defenders with him. Then — a no-look pass wide to Sylvinho. A cross.A header by Iniesta.Saved.
Another wave.
The pressure built.
Then came the moment of the match.
Minute 36.Messi had just exchanged a quick one-two with Xavi. He turned inside, shielded the ball with his shoulder, held off a physical midfielder, and surged forward.
The space opened in front of him.
25 yards.A defender ahead.The keeper off his line.
Messi didn't slow.
He touched the ball forward twice, then struck it with his left — not powerfully, but perfectly.The ball curled, kissed the post, and nestled inside.
GOAL. 2–0. Lionel Messi.
No celebration.
Just a small smile. He jogged back, raising a hand to the fans briefly.He didn't point to the sky this time.
He didn't have to.
The whole stadium already knew —
He had arrived.
In the second half, Messi's pace dropped. Not from fatigue — from control.He played as the conductor. Orchestrating triangles. Switching play.He didn't force dribbles.He chose his moments.
Salamanca chased shadows.The match ended 3–0. The final goal came from a Messi assist — a disguised pass through three players that made the crowd audibly gasp.
After full time, Rijkaard walked over to him, hand on shoulder.
"You don't play like you're 17," he said."You play like you've seen this game before."
Messi gave a small shrug.
"I've just played it all my life."
Post-Match Interview (On Field)Reporter: "Leo, man of the match again. One goal, one assist, several chances created. How do you stay so calm in these matches?"
Messi:(quietly)
"I play the same way I did as a kid. I don't think about the stadium. Just the ball."
Reporter: "You've been heavily marked lately. What's your strategy against teams that try to take you out of the game physically?"
Messi:
"I try not to react. If I get kicked, I get up. I don't want to fight — I want to play. That's enough."
Reporter: "Your name is being mentioned for the Argentina U-20 squad. Any thoughts?"
Messi:
"It would be an honor. But that decision isn't mine. I just focus on the next game."
Respectful. Honest. And again — no arrogance. Just football.
Notebook Entry – January 15, 2005
Anto,They watched me tonight — Argentina, Europe, the media. But I didn't think about them.I thought about the ball. The passes. The space.One perfect touch. One clean shot. That's what matters.I'm learning how to move without being seen. How to lead without shouting.I'm still me. Just... a little stronger.— Leo
Next Match: La Liga – Matchday 17Date: January 22, 2005Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Athletic BilbaoStandings Context:
Barcelona: 45 pts
Real Madrid: 42 pts
Valencia: 40 pts
Athletic Bilbao: 8th place, aggressive high press, dangerous in aerial duels