Date: February 10–13, 2005Fixture: Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad (Preview)Focus: Letter from Argentina, free kick training, inner growth
The letter was waiting on his bed when he returned from recovery training.
A white envelope. Thick. Official seal.From the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino.
His hand hesitated for a moment before he opened it.
He didn't need to read it all.He only needed the first line:
"You are hereby selected for the final squad of the Argentina U-20 team for the FIFA World Youth Championship training camp."
He sat down slowly. The room was quiet. The air felt still.
Not shock.Not relief.
Just a whisper of something that felt like destiny.
That night, he didn't celebrate.
He walked alone onto the training pitch.
The stars were out.No lights. Just cones, balls, and silence.
He placed five balls in a line — 20, 23, 25, 27, and 30 yards out.Same ritual: three steps, breath, curl.
First attempt: top left.Second: over the wall, dipping.Third: low and fast.Fourth: clipped the bar.Fifth: curled inside the post.
Ronaldinho arrived halfway through, sitting on a bench, smiling in the dark.
"The letter came, didn't it?"
Messi nodded.
"I didn't tell anyone," he said."Not yet."
"Good," Ronnie replied. "Your football will do the talking."
La Liga – Matchday 19 Preview
Barcelona vs. Real SociedadDate: February 13, 2005Venue: Camp NouKickoff: 8:00 PMConditions: Clear night, 11°CStandings:
Barcelona: 1st (51 pts)
Real Sociedad: 13th (22 pts)Watchpoints: Sociedad press high, but have a fragile midfield. Messi expected to start.
Training Notes (Feb 11–12)
Free kick accuracy improved (3 of 5 on target)
Muscle training focus: core tightening, sprint recovery
Tactical work: playing deeper, receiving under pressure
Interview avoidance: Messi politely declined two press requests
Rijkaard took note.
"You're growing," he told him."But keep your silence. That's your strength."
Notebook Entry – February 12, 2005
Anto,The letter came. I read it. I folded it. And I put it away.It felt… quiet. Not loud like people imagine.Tomorrow's another match. I want to earn it, every minute. The shirt, the name, the place.I won't celebrate yet. I'll wait. Work. Play.You'll know when I'm ready. You'll feel it.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of Feb 12, 2005)
Season (Club Only):
Appearances: 26
Goals: 15
Assists: 15
Free Kick Goals: 1
Dribbles Completed: 120
Fouls Suffered: 56
Training Focus:
Free Kicks: 7 sessions total – 2 goals in training, 1 in match
Core Training: Increased ab definition
Recovery Runs & Sprint Agility: Moderate progress
Total Career Stats (Club + Country)
Total Matches: 26
Total Goals: 15
Total Assists: 15
Dribbles Completed: 120
National Team Matches: 0 (selection confirmed)
National Team Goals/Assists: 0 / 0