La Liga – Matchday 14Date: December 12, 2004Fixture: Real Madrid vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Santiago Bernabéu, MadridKickoff: 8:00 PMAttendance: 84,500La Liga Standings Before the Match:
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
The Weight of a Rivalry
Even from the bus window, Messi felt it. Madrid didn't blink. Their fans stood like a red tide outside the Bernabéu, waving scarves and flags, shouting curses and chants.
"Welcome to your first El Clásico," whispered Eto'o. "Don't let the noise fool you. It's still football. But faster. Meaner."
"And historic," Ronaldinho added. "Every touch echoes."
Messi didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Madrid's Lineup – The Royal Army
They came with everything:
Raúl – The soul.
Zidane – The mind.
Beckham – The engine.
Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo Nazário, and Figo – Names with weight.
Casillas between the posts.
It wasn't a football team.
It was a wall of fame.
First Half – Tornado Opening
Madrid exploded from kickoff.
The ball barely touched the grass. Beckham launched a 40-yard diagonal to Figo, who volleyed a cross to Ronaldo. The shot missed by inches.
The crowd was relentless. Every Real touch was met with applause. Every Barcelona pass with whistles.
Messi received his first ball in the 9th minute.
Roberto Carlos closed. Shoulder first. No foul. Just a message: "You're in Madrid now."
Holding Ground
Rijkaard didn't shout from the sidelines. He watched — calm — arms crossed.
Messi adjusted.
In the 14th minute, he came deeper for the ball, escaping Carlos's shadow. Ronaldinho passed to him — and Messi played a quick one-two with Deco, then another with Eto'o.
Now space opened.
He turned and faced the goal, gliding past Guti, cutting inside.
From 25 yards, he shot with his left foot —Casillas flew.Tipped over.
Even the Bernabéu gasped.
"That kid has ice in his blood," said the Spanish commentator.
Madrid Strike
But stars strike fast.
In the 21st minute, Zidane picked up a loose ball and played a chipped pass behind Puyol. Ronaldo Nazário — in full sprint — took it on his thigh and half-volleyed it beneath Valdés.
GOAL. 1–0. Real Madrid.
The stadium trembled. The chants roared. But Barcelona didn't break.
Messi Answers the Call
In the 34th minute, Barcelona attacked again.
Ronaldinho floated wide, pulled defenders, and fed Messi just outside the box.
He took a single touch and flicked the ball over Helguera's tackle. The ball bounced into space.
He sprinted past another defender, cutting inside.
Now he had just Casillas.
He shaped for a shot —then paused —waited half a second.
Casillas shifted.
And Messi gently rolled the ball under his diving body.
GOAL. 1–1.
No celebration.Just calm.Just Leo.
Second Half – War of Wits
Madrid grew frustrated. Figo fouled. Beckham chased shadows. Zidane slowed.
Barcelona passed.
In the 62nd minute, Deco and Xavi strung together 11 passes in a row — the crowd whistled louder with each one.
Then Messi broke again.
This time from the right.
He beat Carlos with a nutmeg, accelerated, and sent in a low ball to Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian let it run past — for Eto'o.
Shot. Blocked.
Messi was already moving toward the rebound.
He caught it mid-air and shot on the half-volley.
GOAL. 2–1. Barcelona. Messi again.
The Bernabéu fell silent.
Seventeen years old.Two goals in El Clásico.
History rewritten.
The Final Minutes
Madrid threw everything forward.
Raúl hit the post. Ronaldo had a header saved. Valdés made three stops.
But time ran out.
The final whistle blew.
Barcelona players screamed in triumph.
Messi?He just walked to midfield, hands on hips, eyes scanning the silent stands.
He wasn't smiling.He wasn't celebrating.
He was learning.
Notebook Entry – December 12, 2004
Anto,It wasn't just a game. It was something else.Every step, every touch — it meant more.I didn't play to score. I played to belong.I think I do now.They threw everything at me today. And I answered.— Leo
La Liga Standings After Matchday 14:
Barcelona – 39 pts – 13W / 0L / 3D
Real Madrid – 33 pts – 10W / 2L / 3D
Valencia – 31 pts – 9W / 3L / 4D
Villarreal – 30 pts – 9W / 3L / 3D