Date: December 15–20, 2004
Setting: Barcelona, Spain
Focus: The off-field chaos that follows on-field brilliance
Morning Headlines
📰 "Messi silences Madrid — The new King of Clásico?"
📰 "At 17, Barcelona's Messi scores twice in the Bernabéu — Is he already world-class?"
📰 "From Rosario to Royalty: Messi Takes Europe by Storm"
The photos were everywhere — Messi gliding past Carlos, Messi kneeling after scoring, Messi walking off calm while the Bernabéu burned behind him.
In less than 90 minutes, Leo had gone from wonderkid to phenomenon.
And with it came everything.
The Phone That Wouldn't Stop
His old Nokia buzzed every few minutes. Calls from Argentina. From sponsors. From journalists. His voicemail filled up within the first day.
"Leo, this is Adidas. We'd like to meet.""Leo, Marca wants a sit-down interview.""Leo, there's a spot in a Pepsi ad if you're interested."
Even TV anchors began mentioning his name casually, comparing him to Maradona.
"Too soon," some said."Just right," others smiled.
Anto Calls
Late one evening, he finally answered a quiet call. It was her.
"You're all over the news here," she laughed softly."They showed your goals every hour. My dad even asked for your autograph — and he's a River fan."
"That's dangerous," Messi chuckled.
Then came the silence.
"Are you still you?" she asked.
He paused.
"Yeah. I'm still Leo."
"Then that's enough."
The Meeting with His Agent
His agent Jorge met him at a quiet café near the training ground. Papers on the table. Endorsement offers. Contracts. Media requests.
"You don't have to say yes to all of this. But you should start picking. They'll only increase."
"What if I don't want to be famous?" Messi asked.
Jorge smiled.
"Then keep scoring. And let me handle the rest."
Temptations Begin
The attention brought more than cameras.
After a training session, two girls waited near the exit gates — stylish, bold, confident. One of them held a phone.
"Leo, can we take a photo?""We've followed your whole season," the other said, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder. "We're your biggest fans."
Messi smiled awkwardly, took the picture, nodded politely… and left.
I already have someone, he thought. And I won't mess that up.
The Commercial Offer
Nike flew a rep in from London. They offered him a spot in an ad campaign with top players.
He listened but didn't say yes.
That night, Ronaldinho sat next to him at dinner.
"One thing you'll learn, hermano — they love you now. They'll expect more tomorrow. You decide when to say yes. Just don't forget why you're here."
Back to the Field
The next day, he stepped onto the training pitch and it all faded.
The noise. The interviews. The cameras.
It was just the ball. The grass. His breath in the cold.
Iniesta passed to him.
One touch.Turn.He was already smiling again.
This, he thought, is what's real.
Notebook Entry – December 20, 2004
Anto,
This week wasn't football. It was noise.Smiling at strangers. Declining gifts. Ignoring stares.I don't want to become something I'm not.I want to keep playing, like we did in Rosario — barefoot and dreaming.I'll protect that part of me.No matter how bright the lights get.— Leo
Next Match Preview – La Liga: FC Barcelona vs. Real Betis
Date: December 22, 2004
Focus: Maintaining momentum before the winter break
Real Betis Position: 6th — known for aggressive play and lightning counters