Date: February 14–17, 2005Setting: Barcelona → Buenos AiresFocus: Messi travels to join Argentina U-20 camp; mental and emotional reflection
The plane ticket was handed to him by Rijkaard after training.
"They want you early," the coach said. "And we want you ready."
Messi nodded and tucked the ticket into his backpack, but didn't say a word.
When no one was looking, he touched it again — as if checking it was real.
Departure Day – February 15
La Masia gathered to send him off.
The younger boys looked up with wide eyes. Some asked for his boots. Others asked for his future.
"Will you score in blue and white?" one boy asked.
Messi smiled.
"I'll try."
Ronaldinho hugged him hard.
"Go remind them who you are."
Puyol clapped him on the back.Xavi simply said,
"Stay humble. Stay hungry."
The Flight
He sat by the window.
The stewardess asked if he wanted anything. He declined.
He stared out over the clouds, headphones in, notebook open in his lap — but he didn't write.
He just kept flipping the pen between his fingers, over and over.
A thousand memories passed in silence:
His grandmother watching him juggle oranges.
That first day at Newell's.
His parents saying goodbye before he left for Spain.
The first time someone shouted his name from the Camp Nou stands.
And now… going home, wearing the crest of Argentina.
Arrival – Buenos Aires
Reporters were waiting at the airport.
Flashes. Voices.
"Lionel!""Messi, over here!""What's your message to the fans?""Are you the next Maradona?"
He didn't speak.
He just put on his hoodie and walked toward the team van.
But as he climbed inside, he looked back once — just for a second — and gave a small nod.
Not for the cameras.
For himself.
Argentina U-20 Training Camp – Day 1
The pace was quick.No mercy.Every player here had been the best in their city, their province, their world.
The coach, Francisco Ferraro, didn't slow down for names.
"I don't care who you are," he barked during warmups."If you don't run, you don't play."
But Messi ran.Hard.He sprinted like he was being chased by history.
In drills, his touches were clean.In tight spaces, he was impossible to trap.In possession, he didn't speak — he just solved problems.
By the end of the session, Ferraro said nothing.He just circled one name with his pen.
Notebook Entry – February 17, 2005
Anto,I'm home. But everything's different now. I'm still me, but the eyes are louder.They expect something I haven't done yet. Maybe something no one has done.I trained well. The coach didn't say much. That's fine.I'm not here to impress. I'm here to belong.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of Feb 17, 2005)
Season (Club):
Appearances: 27
Goals: 16
Assists: 16
Free Kick Goals: 1
Dribbles Completed: 125
Training Focus (with Argentina U-20):
Agility circuits
Small-sided tactical games
Free kick continuation: 1 goal in training
Physical condition: ankle responding well
Total Career Stats (Club + Country)
Total Matches: 27
Total Goals: 16
Total Assists: 16
Dribbles Completed: 125
National Team Matches: 0 (in camp)
National Team Goals/Assists: 0 / 0