Date: May 7, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 31Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Getafe CFVenue: Camp NouKickoff: 7:00 PMWeather: Warm, 19°CAttendance: 85,600
May 5 – Lights and Flashbulbs
Messi arrived at a Nike shoot in downtown Barcelona. The concept? "The boy who became a shadow on the wall—then stepped into the light."
He stood in front of a painted backdrop: Rosario on one side, Camp Nou on the other. In between—just him, in black boots and Barça colors.
"Look fierce," the photographer said.
Messi blinked slowly.
"I don't do fierce. I do football."
They all laughed. But the photo turned out perfect.
Later, when he left, a group of teenage girls waved.
"Leo! You're so cute!"
He waved shyly. Said nothing.
That night, he wrote to Antonella:
They want me to be a brand. But I just want to be myself.
May 6 – Quiet Before the Match
Rijkaard gave no tactical surprises.
"Getafe will play deep. They'll foul. Don't get frustrated."
Ronaldinho added:
"Get one early, and they'll crack."
Messi just nodded. He felt ready.
Kickoff – First Half
Getafe came with five at the back. Messi started on the right, again tasked with pulling the structure apart.
Minute 5 — Messi sprinted down the wing, received a long diagonal from Deco, and brought it down on his thigh. Controlled. Paused.
Then, a step-over. A dart. Cross into the box.
Header — Eto'o. Goal. 1–0.
Just like that, the plan worked.
Minute 17 – Making Space
Messi dropped deep to pull defenders. Then popped up behind the line. Xavi saw it. Sent a slicing through ball.
One-on-one. Messi took a touch, waited for the keeper to move—
Chipped it gently.Goal. 2–0.
He pointed up, kissed his wrist, and jogged calmly back.
The commentators couldn't stop talking.
"He's not just a talent. He's a mind. A footballing brain."
Minute 33 – Free Kick Practice, Live
Barcelona earned a free kick 26 yards out. Messi stepped up, calmly adjusting the ball.
Ronaldinho offered:
"Want me to take this one?"
"I need it for training points," Messi grinned.
Curl. Over the wall. Keeper rooted.
GOAL. 3–0.
The Camp Nou erupted again.
That was Messi's 4th direct free kick goal of the season.
Halftime: 3–0 Barcelona
In the locker room, Rijkaard said:
"Control. Focus. Don't show off. Just finish it."
Ronaldinho looked over at Messi.
"Want to trade shirts for that free kick?"
"Only if you teach me your elastico."
Second Half – Confidence, Not Arrogance
Barcelona managed the match. Getafe barely threatened. Messi didn't overdo it—he passed when it was right, ran when it mattered.
Minute 68 — He sprinted into the box from the left, received a return ball from Giuly, and squared it unselfishly.
Goal. Deco. 4–0.
Another assist.
Minute 78 – Subbed Off
Rijkaard gave Messi a rest. Standing ovation again. Fans lifted signs:"Messi = Barça's Heart"
From the bench, he watched the clock tick down with ice on his knees.
Full-Time: FC Barcelona 4–0 Getafe CF
Goals: Eto'o (5'), Messi (17', 33'), Deco (68')Assists: Messi (2), GiulyMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 dribbles, 1 free kick goal
Post-Match Interview – Barça TV
Interviewer:
"Leo, your first branded shoot this week. You scored two tonight. Is there a connection?"
Messi:
"Maybe I should do one every Friday."
Interviewer:
"Are you comfortable with being more than just a footballer now?"
Messi:
"As long as I never stop being a footballer first."
Notebook Entry – May 7, 2005
Anto,They keep telling me I'm becoming 'iconic.' I don't know what that means.I still clean my own boots. Still forget to comb my hair. Still get nervous before matches.If that's iconic, okay. But I'm not acting. This is just me.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 7, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 42
Goals: 35
Assists: 36
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 32
Dribbles Completed: 223
Fouls Suffered: 108
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 44
Goals: 38
Assists: 39
Dribbles Completed: 240
National Team Caps (Senior): 0
National Team Goals: 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 31):
1st: FC Barcelona – 90 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 84 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 76 pts
4th: Villarreal – 70 pts
World Football News – May 7
Premier League: Liverpool stun Chelsea 1–0 in Champions League semis—set for Istanbul final.
Serie A: Milan lose ground after shocking loss to Udinese.
Bundesliga: Werder Bremen's Diego gets Player of the Month.
MLS: 16-year-old Freddy Adu scores for DC United—American press compares him to Messi.
Copa América Update: Argentina's training camp to begin June 2. Messi on pre-squad list.