Date: March 9–12, 2005Competition: La Liga – Build-up to El ClásicoFixture (Upcoming): FC Barcelona vs. Real MadridVenue: Camp NouKickoff: March 13, 2005 – 9:00 PMCurrent League Standings:
Barcelona – 60 pts
Real Madrid – 57 pts
March 9 – La Masia's Quietest Day
Messi skipped lunch.
Not because he wasn't hungry.But because his stomach wouldn't settle.
In four days, he would play his first El Clásico — the biggest football match in Spain.The biggest stage he had ever stood on.
Every corridor at La Masia buzzed with whispers:
"Messi's starting, right?""Will he be ready?""Madrid won't go easy."
Even the cooks spoke in hushed tones.
He sat on his bed that night, headphones in, staring at the ceiling. The music didn't calm him.
Only the ball ever did.
March 10 – Training Gets Real
Rijkaard brought the first team into a closed-door tactical session.
"Madrid's left side is dangerous — Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. Leo, they'll come at you."
Messi nodded, quietly. He wasn't intimidated. He was… curious.
Later in training, he practiced one-twos with Xavi, flicks under pressure, and off-the-ball movements to shake markers.
Then he stayed late — again — hitting free kicks over the mannequins.
Eleven kicks. Four went in. One hit the post.
Not enough.
"Again," he whispered. And struck another.
March 11 – The Interview
For the first time in his young career, Messi was invited for a pre-Clásico press spot with BarçaTV.
The interviewer smiled warmly.
"You ready for Madrid?"
Messi's answer was quiet, but steady:
"I'm ready to play football."
"You've faced Ronaldo, Zidane… any nerves?"
"No. It's the same game. Same ball."
The interviewer blinked — surprised by the calm. He expected more flash. More noise.
But Messi was never noise.He was pulse. Quiet. Constant. Power beneath stillness.
March 12 – Letter from Rosario
The day before the match, Messi received a letter from Antonella.
Leo,I saw your last match. You looked tired… but alive.Do they know you talk to the ball? That you listen to it?I know you'll be brilliant. But remember — I don't care about goals. I just care that you're happy.Don't let the noise drown your music.— Anto
He read it three times.Then tucked it into his sock for training.
Around the World – Clásico Buzz
Marca (Madrid):
"Will Zidane reign again at Camp Nou?"
SPORT (Barcelona):
"Messi. Eto'o. Ronaldinho. The new trident."
L'Équipe (France):
"El Clásico set to define Spain's title race."
Sky Sports (UK):
"Spain's golden boy faces Galácticos."
Notebook Entry – March 12, 2005
Anto,Tomorrow's Clásico. The game every kid dreams about.But I'm not dreaming anymore. I'm walking into it.I've watched videos of Zidane and Ronaldo since I was ten.Now I play across from them.The pressure doesn't scare me. The silence before kickoff — that's what I'm waiting for.That's when I'll hear the ball speak.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Stats Heading Into El Clásico
Season (Club):
Matches: 32
Goals: 21
Assists: 24
Dribbles Completed: 160
Fouls Suffered: 76
Free Kick Goals (Match): 1
Free Kick Goals (Training): 12
Career Totals:
Matches: 32
Goals: 21
Assists: 24
National Team Caps: 0
National Team Goals: 0
World Football Highlights – March 12
Premier League: Chelsea beat Norwich 3–0. Lampard scores again.
Bundesliga: Bayern drop points. Schalke close the gap.
Serie A: Juventus win 1–0 in a tight match against Lazio.
Ligue 1: Lyon's Juninho scores another stunning free kick — scouts from Spain attend.
South America: Boca Juniors fans chant Messi's name in jest, calling him "Spain's stolen jewel."