Date: January 24–28, 2005Setting: Barcelona & RosarioFocus: Argentina U-20 pre-call, personal reflection, national pride
The call came on a Wednesday afternoon. Quiet. Almost unnoticed.
Messi was in the recovery room after another light gym session — working on his abs and stretching out his calves — when a club staff member knocked lightly on the door.
"Leo, there's something from the AFA. A letter."
He dried his forehead, stood slowly, and took the envelope with both hands. On the front:"Federación Argentina de Fútbol – Pre-convocatoria Sub-20"
He didn't open it right away.He just stared.This wasn't a dream anymore.
Later that evening, he sat alone in his apartment with the letter opened on the table. His fingers traced the ink like it might fade.
"You are being considered for the final squad for the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands. Training camp invitations will follow."
He leaned back in his chair and whispered:
"Me? For Argentina?"
Not for Newell's.Not for Barcelona.But for his country.
That night, he called Rosario.
"Anto?"
"You sound breathless," she laughed.
"They called me. The U-20s. I might go to the World Cup. Represent Argentina."
There was silence. Then her voice cracked gently.
"You're not just from Rosario now… You're from Argentina."
"No," he said quietly. "I'll always be from Rosario. But I'll carry all of them with me."
In the training ground the next morning, Rijkaard approached Messi with a calm smile.
"You deserve it," he said. "Just don't let it distract you. Keep your balance."
Messi nodded.
"More responsibility means more discipline."
He went straight to the practice pitch after that.
He stayed behind again that evening.Not just for core drills and low-intensity circuits, but for free kicks.
This time, he placed cones along the wall.He hit five balls — two went over, one wide, one straight to the keeper.But the fifth?
Curled around the cones, off the underside of the bar, and into the top corner.
He didn't celebrate.He just picked up the ball and did it again.
Meanwhile, the media had already caught on.
"Lionel Messi, the Rosario-born Barcelona jewel, is on the verge of national selection for Argentina's U-20 squad.""Maradona once wore the same stripes. Will Messi follow?"
The press wanted quotes.Messi gave none.Not yet.
Instead, he wrote quietly in his notebook that night.
Notebook Entry – January 27, 2005
Anto,They might pick me. For Argentina. For a World Cup. That feels… too big to fit in my hands.But I'm not scared. I'm honored. If they give me the shirt, I'll run until I can't breathe.I'll train harder. Keep learning. Grow stronger.I just hope I can make you, my family, and Rosario proud.— Leo
La Liga Table – After Matchday 17
Barcelona – 48 pts (16W / 0L / 3D)
Real Madrid – 45 pts
Valencia – 42 pts
Sevilla – 39 pts
Lionel Messi – Season Stats (as of January 28, 2005)
Appearances: 23
Goals: 12
Assists: 12
Free Kicks Taken: 3 (0 goals, 1 off woodwork, 1 on target)
Yellow Cards: 0
Disciplinary: Always respectful, never argues with referees
Muscle Progress: Core strength visibly improved, lean abs forming, light definition on upper body
Training Focus: Agility, stability, and finishing from dead-ball situations
Next Fixture:La Liga – Matchday 18Barcelona vs. Real ZaragozaDate: January 30, 2005Home GameZaragoza's Position: 10thWatchpoints: Aggressive midfield pressing, high defensive line vulnerable to diagonal runs