Date: April 24, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 27Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Valencia CFVenue: Camp NouKickoff: 8:00 PMWeather: Slight chill – 13°CAttendance: 89,000
Pre-Match Buzz
The media built it as a headline:
"Messi vs. Sun Xiang – Two Worlds Collide"
Though Xiang wasn't a world star, his arrival brought international eyes—especially from Asia.
"There's a calmness in him," Messi told Deco in the locker room."Like he's not here to be loud. Just strong."
Deco grinned.
"Sounds familiar."
Kickoff – First Half
Valencia set up in a tight 4-4-2. Compact. Disciplined. Sun Xiang was positioned as the left wing-back, directly responsible for tracking Messi.
Minute 1–10
Messi started deeper, touching the ball only twice in the opening ten minutes. But with every touch, he drew two defenders—and Xiang stayed glued to him.
Minute 12 — Deco lifted a long ball to Messi's side. Xiang leapt high and won it. Clean.
The crowd murmured.
"Finally someone who can track him," one commentator whispered.
Messi took note.
Minute 17 – Testing the Waters
Receiving a pass near the right flank, Messi feinted in, then darted out—Xiang stayed with him.
Messi paused.
Then he stopped the ball.
Waited.
Suddenly accelerated inward with three touches, shifted to his left, and fired from 20 yards—
Post.
He turned away in frustration. But the Camp Nou roared in appreciation.
Minute 27 – A New Move
Messi altered his game. Instead of waiting for service, he drifted into midfield and began orchestrating.
Minute 30 — One-touch pass to Xavi. He made a cutting run behind Xiang. Ball returned to him. Xiang out of position.
Messi crossed low to the near post—
GOAL. Eto'o. 1–0 Barcelona.
Assist: Messi.
Halftime: 1–0 Barcelona
In the tunnel, Messi and Sun Xiang nodded to each other. No words exchanged.
Respect. Quiet and mutual.
Rijkaard told the team,
"If we control midfield, the match is ours. Leo—keep making space."
Second Half – The Breakthrough
Minute 52 — Deco to Messi. Xiang anticipated, stepped up—Messi pulled a La Croqueta past him, slid left past a second defender, and let fly.
Goal. 2–0. Messi.
This time, he pointed to the sky… then gave a brief bow toward Xiang.
Minute 63 – A Dangerous Turn
Valencia pushed forward. Vicente fed Corradi for a close-range header—
Goal. 2–1.
Game on.
Minute 74 – The Close
Barcelona countered fast. Ronaldinho found Messi near the corner.
He paused again.
Three defenders waiting.
He chipped it into space for Deco—One-touch finish.
Goal. 3–1.
Full-Time: FC Barcelona 3–1 Valencia CF
Goals: Eto'o (30'), Messi (52'), Deco (74') – Corradi (63')Assists: Messi (1), Ronaldinho, Messi (secondary)Man of the Match: Lionel Messi – 1 goal, 1 assist, 7 successful dribbles, 3 key passes, 2 defensive recoveries
Post-Match Interview – International Focus
CCTV (China):
"Leo, Sun Xiang kept up with you better than most. What did you think of him?"
Messi:
"He's clever. Quick. We didn't speak, but I understood him. I respect how he plays."
Argentine Reporter:
"Now that the Copa América is coming, are these your final steps in this Barcelona chapter?"
Messi:
"No. This is still just the first act."
Notebook Entry – April 24, 2005
Anto,Tonight I met a different kind of rival. Calm. Thoughtful. We didn't need words.Football connected us. We played a chess match on grass. I think I won this round. Barely.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of April 24, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 38
Goals: 28
Assists: 32
Free Kick Goals (Match): 2
Free Kick Goals (Training): 27
Dribbles Completed: 198
Fouls Suffered: 98
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 40
Goals: 31
Assists: 34
Dribbles Completed: 213
National Team Caps (Senior): 0
National Team Goals: 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 27):
1st: FC Barcelona – 78 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 72 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 68 pts
4th: Villarreal – 65 pts
World Football News – April 24
Premier League: Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Man United; still 8 points behind Chelsea.
Serie A: AC Milan edge closer to Juve with last-minute goal from Shevchenko.
Bundesliga: Bayern and Schalke tied at top with 60 points each.
South America: Chile names Alexis Sánchez, 16, in preliminary U-20 squad—another South American star rising.
Copa América Countdown: Argentina expected to release full squad by May 10.