La Liga – Matchday 13Date: December 5, 2004Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Valencia CFVenue: Camp Nou, BarcelonaKickoff: 8:00 PMAttendance: 82,000La Liga Standings Before Match:
Barcelona – 33 pts – 11W / 0L / 3D
Real Madrid – 32 pts – 10W / 1L / 2D
Valencia – 30 pts – 9W / 2L / 3D
Villarreal – 26 pts – 7W / 3L / 4D
The Weight of Eyes
There was no hiding today.
Cameras zoomed in on him during warmups. Journalists in the press box leaned in with their notepads ready. Giuly sat on the bench, jaw set, gloves on, silent. Ronaldinho gave Messi a small nod during the anthem. No words. Just trust.
"Play your game," Rijkaard said before kick-off. "You don't need to prove anything. But if you do — prove it to yourself."
First Half – The Iron Gate
Valencia played compact — lines tight, pressing zones fierce.
Ayala and Marchena stood like twin towers in the center of defense. Albelda guarded the midfield like a loyal wolf. Vicente and Rufete countered with venom.
The ball barely reached Messi in the first 15 minutes. And when it did, Marchena kicked him the moment he turned.
Again. And again.
"That's the kid?" Vicente sneered."Let's keep him quiet."
In the 24th minute, Deco fed him a ball. Messi tried to dance through midfield — but was pulled down by Albelda. No card. Just a cold, hard statement.
Welcome to the elite.
But He Didn't Flinch
He got up. Again and again.
In the 33rd minute, Messi received a pass near the halfway line. He held it a split-second longer. Albelda stepped in — Messi popped it through his legs.
Gasps.
He sprinted past two more defenders. Now 30 yards out. He looked up — no options. So he kept going.
Ayala stepped forward. Messi feinted inside, then darted left.
A left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
Inches wide.
Camp Nou stood. That wasn't a goal. But it was a warning.
Second Half – A Fire Ignited
Barcelona came out faster. Hungrier. Iniesta started dropping deeper, pulling Valencia's midfield out of position.
In the 57th minute, Ronaldinho drew two defenders on the left. He flicked the ball behind with a no-look backheel — and Messi was already there, sprinting in from the center.
He didn't stop.Not once.
Takes it in stride. One touch.Two defenders close in. He fakes right, glides left.
Marchena lunges.
Messi skips over the tackle.
Now only Ayala stands. The crowd rises like a tide.
He steps left, Messi cuts right, then back left in a blur.
Now he's free.
A delicate left-footed shot, low and curling…
GOAL. 1–0. Barcelona.
Camp Nou erupts. The bench empties. Rijkaard smiles.
No celebration from Messi.Just a calm jog back to his half. Eyes focused. Mission not over.
The Assist That Sealed It
In the 79th minute, Barcelona held possession patiently. Deco controlled the middle. Ronaldinho switched flanks. Messi drifted central again.
Valencia were tired now. Slower to press.
Messi picked up a loose ball, turned between two red shirts, and drove forward.
Near the box, he feinted a shot — drawing two defenders — then rolled a no-look pass behind him.
Xavi arrived. One touch.
Shot. Goal. 2–0. Barcelona.
This time, Messi smiled.
He looked up at the fans.
And for the first time…They chanted his name without being prompted.
The Final Whistle
Barcelona remained unbeaten.
Real Madrid's draw meant they extended their lead.
But none of that mattered in the locker room. Rijkaard walked in, looked at the team, then turned to Messi.
"You want to stay in the starting XI?"
Messi nodded.
"Then keep playing like that."
He turned and walked away. That was the reward.
No medals.
No hugs.
Just trust.
Notebook Entry – December 5, 2004
Anto,I was scared today. Not of failing. Of letting pressure change me.But I remembered what you said — "You're still Leo."So I played like Leo. Not the new star. Not the headline.Just me.And I felt… free.— Leo
La Liga Standings After Matchday 13:
Barcelona – 36 pts – 12W / 0L / 3D
Real Madrid – 33 pts – 10W / 1L / 3D
Valencia – 30 pts – 9W / 3L / 3D
Villarreal – 29 pts – 9W / 3L / 2D