Date: April 16–17, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 26Fixture: Real Madrid vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Santiago Bernabéu StadiumKickoff: April 17, 2005 – 8:30 PMWeather: Clear skies, 15°CAttendance: 80,354 (sold out)Broadcast: Watched by over 500 million globally
April 16 – Calm Before the Storm
The day before the Clásico, Rijkaard called Messi into his office. Just the two of them.
"Leo, I'm starting you. I thought about protecting you from this… but you've earned the fire."
Messi nodded. Calm on the outside. But inside, he felt the heartbeat of a boy who grew up watching Zidane and Figo.
Now he would face them.
April 17 – Matchday
When the Barcelona bus pulled into the Bernabéu parking lot, the crowd roared. Not in welcome—but in war.
Messi stared straight ahead.
Ronaldinho touched his shoulder.
"Play with joy, Leo. That's how you silence hate."
Kickoff – First Half
Minute 1–10
Real Madrid started fast. Beckham's crosses. Ronaldo's darting runs. Zidane orchestrating.
Puyol barked orders. Valdés made two early saves.
Messi saw little of the ball—but never stopped moving.
Minute 7 — his first touch. A simple pass back to Xavi. The crowd whistled him.
He didn't flinch.
Minute 13 – The First Blow
Messi dropped deep to collect.
He slipped between Guti and Helguera, played a sharp one-two with Deco, then fed Ronaldinho down the left.
Ronnie danced past Salgado, cut inside—and curled one into the far corner.
GOAL. 1–0. FC Barcelona. Assist: Messi (pre-assist).
Messi didn't celebrate wildly. But his pass had unlocked the door.
And now Madrid had to chase.
Minute 22–34: The Fire Builds
Madrid pushed harder.
Zidane glided forward. Ronaldo struck the post.
But Messi grew sharper too.
Minute 29 — He received on the touchline, danced past Roberto Carlos, pulled it back for Giuly.
Shot — saved.
Moments later, Messi stole a pass from Beckham and burst forward, only for Gravesen to take him down.
Free kick, 22 yards.
He lined it up, hands on hips.
Curled it…
Crossbar.
Groans from Barça fans. Applause from teammates.
Minute 39 – Madrid Strike
Zidane found Ronaldo, who feinted past Márquez and slipped it through Valdés' legs.
Goal. 1–1. Minute 39.
The Bernabéu exploded.
Halftime: 1–1
Rijkaard was calm.
"They've shown us their cards. Now we press with discipline."
Ronaldinho to Messi:
"You want your moment? Take it."
Second Half – Tides Shift
Minute 50–60
Madrid began to tire. Deco and Xavi controlled the middle. Messi shifted inside.
Minute 58 — Deco passed to Messi just outside the box.
He faked a shot. Pulled left. Defender slid past.
Another fake. Another step.
Then, with the outside of his left foot, he curved it around Casillas—
GOAL. 2–1. Lionel Messi.
Silence fell over the Bernabéu.
He didn't celebrate.
Just raised one finger to the sky. For Rosario. For Anto.
Minute 73 – The Finisher
Madrid threw everything forward.
Messi picked up a loose ball in midfield, sprinted 40 yards, dodged two tackles, and fed Eto'o inside the box.
Tap-in.
Goal. 3–1.
Assist: Messi.
Full-Time: Real Madrid 1–3 FC Barcelona
Goals: Ronaldo (39'); Ronaldinho (13'), Messi (58'), Eto'o (73')Assists: Messi (2), Ronaldinho, DecoMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 1 goal, 2 assists, 7 dribbles, 4 fouls drawn
Post-Match Interview – Sky Sports
Reporter:
"You've just starred in your first El Clásico at 17. How do you feel?"
Messi:
"Tired. But proud. I don't play to be famous. I play because this… this is home."
Reporter:
"The world is watching. Argentina is watching."
Messi:
"Then I hope they smile tonight."
Notebook Entry – April 17, 2005
Anto,The Bernabéu was loud. But when I touched the ball, it was quiet inside. Just me and the grass and the goal.This was the night I proved to myself… that I belong.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of April 17, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 37
Goals: 27
Assists: 30
Free Kick Goals (Match): 2
Free Kick Goals (Training): 24
Dribbles Completed: 191
Fouls Suffered: 95
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 39
Goals: 30
Assists: 32
Dribbles Completed: 207
National Team Caps (Senior): 0
National Team Goals: 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 26):
1st: FC Barcelona – 75 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 69 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 67 pts
4th: Villarreal – 63 pts
World Football News – April 17
Premier League: Chelsea beat Arsenal 2–1, Mourinho says "title is ours."
Serie A: Totti reaches 100 career goals for Roma.
Bundesliga: Bayern retake top spot after Schalke stumble.
South America: Boca Juniors plan tribute to Riquelme's legacy.
Award Radar: Messi officially enters the Ballon d'Or 2005 watchlist by France Football.