Date: May 17, 2005Competition: UEFA Champions League – Semifinal (2nd Leg)Fixture: AC Milan vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: San Siro, MilanKickoff: 8:45 PMWeather: Cool, 13°CAttendance: 80,074 (sold out)
May 16 – Milan, the Fortress
As Barcelona's bus pulled into Milan, a sea of red and black scarves waved in defiance. Police escorted the players. The San Siro towered above them, ancient and intimidating.
Messi looked out the window.
"It feels like Rome," he whispered to Iniesta."Then let's conquer it," Iniesta replied.
Pre-Match – A War in Silence
Inside the away dressing room, Rijkaard went calm.
"They think the moment is too big for us. Let them. You know who you are. You know why you're here."
Ronaldinho tapped Messi's shoulder.
"No matter what happens, we remember nights like these forever."
Kickoff – First Half Begins
The whistle blew. The roar was deafening. The San Siro vibrated with song and smoke.
Barcelona started strong. Passing. Movement. Confidence.
Minute 3 – Deco found Eto'o in the channel. He squared to Messi at the edge of the box. Messi turned, one touch, left foot—
Saved by Dida.
So close.
Minute 12 – Milan Attack
Pirlo lofted a pass into space. Shevchenko broke through. Valdés sprinted out—save with his leg!
Immediate response from Barça.
Messi collected in midfield. He glided through Gattuso, pirouetted past Maldini, and fed Ronaldinho.
Ronnie hit it low—post!
The match was wide open.
Minute 26 – The Blow
Cafu charged down the right, crossed high. Kaka met it in stride.
Header—GOAL. 1–0 Milan.
The stadium exploded. Smoke filled the air. Milan led 3–2 on aggregate.
Messi picked the ball from the net himself. No complaints. Just purpose.
Minute 34 – The Moment
Barcelona didn't panic. They built. They passed.
Deco to Xavi.Xavi to Ronaldinho.Ronnie to Messi—on the edge of the box.
He turned inside Pirlo. Then past Nesta. One step. One look.
He curled it—
GOAL. Top corner. 1–1.
3–3 on aggregate. Away goals advantage: Barcelona.
Messi didn't celebrate wildly. He simply stood there—arms wide, chest rising and falling. The world knew his name now.
Minute 42 – Near Disaster
Gattuso thundered into Messi with a crunching tackle. Yellow card.
Messi winced, rolled over, then stood.
No drama. Just pain and grit.
Halftime: 1–1 (3–3 Aggregate)
Barcelona ahead on away goals.Inside the tunnel, Messi passed Shevchenko. They exchanged a respectful nod.
"You're the future," Sheva said.
Second Half – Storm and Calm
Minute 49 – Ronaldinho danced around Cafu and chipped to Messi, who volleyed—over the bar.
Minute 56 – Kaka slipped Inzaghi through—Valdés again with a brilliant block.
Barça survived. But it was tense.
Minute 63 – Messi Magic Again
Receiving near the sideline, Messi turned with three players chasing.
He drove inward, dodging legs. Near the D, he played a quick one-two with Eto'o.
Inside the box now.
A fake shot sent Maldini sliding.
Messi chipped it softly over Dida—
GOAL. 2–1 Barcelona.
Absolute genius.
Even the Milan fans gave scattered applause.
Minute 71 – The Silence
San Siro, roaring all night, went quiet.
Barcelona passed it around confidently. Rijkaard motioned: no risks.
Minute 78 – Messi subbed off. Standing ovation from traveling Barça fans.
Minute 90+2 – Final Whistle
Barcelona win 2–1.Aggregate: 4–3Barcelona are in the UEFA Champions League Final.
Messi ran onto the pitch, hugging Valdés, then Xavi, then Ronaldinho.
Tears in his eyes.
"We did it," he said. "We're going to Paris."
Full-Time: AC Milan 1–2 FC Barcelona (3–4 agg)
Goals: Kaka (26') – Messi (34', 63')Assists: Ronaldinho, Eto'oMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 2 goals, 7 dribbles, 4 key passes, away goal hero
Post-Match Interview – UEFA
Interviewer:
"Lionel, you beat legends tonight. How do you stay humble?"
Messi:
"By remembering that next time, I could lose."
Notebook Entry – May 17, 2005
Anto,The San Siro was loud. But after I scored the second, I couldn't hear anything. Just my heart.We're going to the final. I want you there.Paris awaits.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 17, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 45
Goals: 39
Assists: 39
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 37
Dribbles Completed: 242
Fouls Suffered: 117
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 47
Goals: 42
Assists: 42
Dribbles Completed: 259
World Football News – May 17
UCL: Chelsea defeat Juventus 1–0 (agg 3–2). Final set: Barcelona vs Chelsea, May 28.
Copa América: Messi officially called up to Argentina's training squad.
Serie A: Milan face Inter in the Coppa Italia final.
Ballon d'Or Buzz: Messi now frontrunner for "Young Player of the Year."