Copa del Rey – Quarter-Final, 1st LegDate: February 2, 2005Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Sevilla FCVenue: Camp Nou, BarcelonaWeather: Drizzling rain, 6°CKickoff: 9:30 PM
By now, everyone knew who he was.
In the stadium tunnel, a Sevilla player looked over at Messi, then turned to his teammate and muttered something in Spanish:
"Don't give him space. Not even air."
Messi heard it.He didn't respond.He just closed his eyes for a moment, rain starting to tap the top of his boots.
Tonight was personal.
Because in the VIP section sat Argentina U-20 head coach Francisco Ferraro, clipboard in hand, surrounded by scouts.
"He's still a kid," Ferraro said to the man beside him."Let's see how he handles being treated like a man."
Kickoff
The storm wasn't just in the sky.Sevilla pressed like a trap ready to spring. Their formation was tight, reactive, sharp.
And on the right flank? A lightning-quick Brazilian: Dani Alves.
He wasn't here to defend only.He wanted to test Messi.
And from the first duel, it was clear — this wasn't going to be easy.
In the 7th minute, Messi tried to dart past Alves down the wing.Denied.Ball cleanly stolen.No foul.
The crowd buzzed.
Messi didn't flinch. He just jogged back into position.The duel had begun.
Sevilla nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute — a whipped cross and a low drive that Valdés had to tip wide.
Barcelona responded with better possession. Deco and Xavi started to slow things down. Ronaldinho played tighter tonight — marked by two.
And so, again, Messi was the pressure valve.
In the 27th minute, he dropped into midfield to collect, drew a foul from Renato, and earned a free kick 30 yards out.
This time, he stepped up.
He struck it well — the curve sharp, the dip perfect — but the keeper was alert. Tipped over the bar.
Close again. Two hands on his hips. Exhale. Reset.
But then — minute 34.
A turnover in midfield. Messi intercepted a poor pass and instantly darted toward the center.
He ghosted past one, spun inside another, then slipped a perfectly weighted ball through to Eto'o.
Eto'o didn't waste it.
GOAL. 1–0. Assist: Messi.
The Camp Nou roared.But Messi didn't celebrate wildly.He looked up to the VIP box, then turned away.Focused. Still locked in.
Second Half: Fire and Ice
Alves came even harder. In the 52nd minute, he tackled Messi so tightly their knees collided. Messi winced but waved off the physios.
Then, in the 60th minute, Messi gave Alves a taste of his own.
Receiving a switch pass from Ronaldinho, he stopped, waited, then suddenly nutmegged the full-back.
The crowd gasped.Dani stopped in his tracks.
Messi cut inside the box. Low shot — saved again.
But momentum had shifted.
Sevilla's defense tightened. The game turned into a wrestling match in midfield.
Minute 75 — Sevilla equalized.A deflection off a corner. 1–1.
Barcelona pushed forward, but Sevilla weren't breaking.
Messi knew there was time for one more move.
In the 87th minute, he picked the ball up near the halfway line and started running.
Xavi's voice rang out:
"Patience!"
But Messi saw a window.He skipped one challenge. Two. A flick to Ronaldinho. The return was instant.
Now 20 yards out.
Messi chopped inside, evading a tackle. Shot — low and curling.
GOAL. 2–1. Messi.
The stadium shook.
He didn't jump into the stands.He just stood still, rain falling on his hair, arms loose by his side, eyes closed for a second.
Final Whistle: Barcelona 2–1 Sevilla (1st Leg)
Tough, tactical, tense — but Messi had made the difference.
Post-Match Interview
Reporter: "Leo, tonight was your toughest matchup. Dani Alves kept coming at you. How did you break through?"
Messi:(half-smile)
"He's strong. Fast. But if you're calm… you find a way. You wait."
Reporter: "You've now scored in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and assisted in both. How do you stay consistent?"
Messi:
"I train. I listen. I stay focused. That's all. The rest is… football."
Reporter: "You looked up at the Argentina coach tonight. Were you thinking about your selection?"
Messi:
"No. I was thinking about Rosario. That's who I play for."
Notebook Entry – February 2, 2005
Anto,Dani was fast. Strong. He played like a man. I had to play smarter.But I didn't get angry. I didn't get scared. I just waited. And when it came — I made it count.They were watching. Argentina. Maybe Europe. But I only thought about you, and my city.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Season Stats (as of February 2, 2005)
Appearances: 25
Goals: 14
Assists: 14
Free Kick Goals: 1
Copa del Rey: 3 matches, 2 goals, 3 assists
Muscle Training: Continuing light core and agility work
Free Kick Practice: 5 sessions logged, 1 conversion in match, 3 off woodwork or saved
Scouting Notes (unofficial): "Resilient, tactically intelligent, emotionally mature beyond his years"