Date: March 6, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 21Fixture: Real Zaragoza vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: La Romareda, ZaragozaAttendance: 35,000Weather: Windy, 9°CKickoff: 6:00 PM
Before the match, Messi stood in front of the tunnel, breathing into his hands to fight the chill.
Puyol came up beside him, stretched his legs, then said quietly:
"You know what they're calling you in Madrid now?"
Messi looked up.
"El pequeño emperador."The little emperor.
Messi didn't smile.
"I haven't won anything yet."
First Half – Unsettled Beginnings
Zaragoza had done their homework.
They defended in blocks, tightly wound. Every time Messi got the ball, two men closed instantly.
Minute 6
Messi received a pass in the right channel, feinted inside, but was clipped from behind.No card. Just a whistle.
The crowd whistled back — they were here to unsettle him.
And for a moment, it worked.
He misplaced a pass. He slipped on the turn.
But Rijkaard on the touchline simply nodded, as if to say:
Let the boy find the beat.
Minute 23 – The Reboot
Barcelona had held 68% possession, but no end product.
Then, it happened.
Deco stole the ball near midfield and released Messi quickly. He had 30 yards of space.
First touch — forward.Second touch — past the chasing fullback.Third touch — across to Eto'o.
Finish. GOAL. 1–0 Barcelona. Assist: Messi.
No celebration. Just Messi jogging back, pointing toward Deco, as if sharing the moment.
But something in his movement had changed — looser, lighter.
Minute 36 – The Statement
This time, it was all him.
Iniesta found Messi in the inside-right channel. He took a touch inside, then drifted.
One defender stepped up — skipped.Another lunged — slipped past.
He neared the box, defenders recovering.
He dragged the ball left, then struck it with the inside of his left foot — curling, dipping.
GOAL. 2–0 Barcelona. Messi.
The away fans rose to their feet.
Rijkaard cracked a grin.Ronaldinho, watching from the bench, laughed.
"He's getting addicted," Dinho whispered."And we're lucky to watch it."
Second Half – Wind and Whispers
Barcelona held possession. Zaragoza began pressing harder. The wind grew stronger, the ball moving unpredictably.
Minute 61
A misread pass from Xavi allowed Zaragoza a counter. They scored from the top of the box.
2–1.
Now the crowd roared again, wind behind their backs.
But Messi didn't flinch.
Minute 69
He tracked back deep into midfield, stole the ball cleanly, and launched a counter of his own.
Deco. Back to Messi. Through to Giuly.
GOAL. 3–1. Assist: Messi again.
A complete performance.
Final Whistle
Full-Time: Real Zaragoza 1–3 FC BarcelonaGoals: Eto'o (23'), Messi (36'), Giuly (69'); Zaragoza (61')Assists: Messi (2), Deco (1)
Another victory. Another statement.
Barcelona remained top of the league.
Post-Match Press Conference
Spanish Journalist:
"Leo, five goal involvements in your last two matches. You're still just 17. What's the pressure like?"
Messi:
"Pressure is when you don't get a chance. I'm lucky. I got one. I just don't want to waste it."
French Reporter (L'Équipe):
"Many compare you to Ronaldinho. Are you ready to lead this team?"
Messi:
"I don't lead. I follow the ball."
Notebook Entry – March 6, 2005
Anto,Another assist. Another goal.The wind was so loud I couldn't hear my name, but I saw it in the crowd's faces.I think they expect me to shine every match now. That's... a strange feeling.But I'm not afraid.The ball still listens to me. And when it does, I know I'm doing something right.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of March 6, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 32
Goals: 21
Assists: 24
Free Kick Goals: 1 (match), 8 (training)
Dribbles Completed: 160
Fouls Suffered: 76
Total Career Stats (Club + Country)
Total Matches: 32
Total Goals: 21
Total Assists: 24
Dribbles Completed: 160
National Team Matches: 0
National Team Goals/Assists: 0 / 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 21)
1st: Barcelona – 60 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 57 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 53 pts
4th: Villarreal – 50 pts
World Football Highlights – March 6
Premier League: Liverpool shock Manchester United 2–1 at Anfield. Steven Gerrard scores a thunderbolt.
Serie A: Adriano scores again for Inter. AC Milan prepare summer bid for Lyon's Juninho.
Ligue 1: Marseille's Ribéry named February Player of the Month.
Transfer Rumors: Bayern reportedly targeting a Barcelona youth product. Speculation circles around a teenager named Gerard Piqué.