Date: May 4, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 30Fixture: Villarreal CF vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Estadio El MadrigalKickoff: 8:45 PMWeather: Mild, 14°CAttendance: 24,500 (sold out)
May 2 – Tactical Briefing
In the team meeting room at Ciutat Esportiva, Rijkaard pointed at the projector screen.
"Riquelme is their brain. Forlan is their gun. Senna is their wall. But remember—if we press them fast, they struggle to reset."
Then he looked at Messi.
"You'll be tightly marked. Possibly doubled."
Messi nodded.
"I'll move early. Make space before they find me."
Ronaldinho grinned.
"And when they forget you for just a second… boom."
May 4 – Match Night
The El Madrigal crowd was loud and hopeful. Villarreal were 4th in the league and on a 7-game unbeaten home run. The press billed this as the night Barcelona's charge could derail.
In the tunnel, Messi tied his boots silently. No words. Just calm breath.
Kickoff – First Half
Minute 1–10
Villarreal pressed early, catching Barcelona off guard. Forlán and Sorín tested Valdés with two quick shots. The first ten minutes were Villarreal's storm.
Messi barely touched the ball.
Minute 13 – The Escape
Finally, Messi found space. He drifted left, received a ball from Deco, and weaved past Josico. A quick give-and-go with Ronaldinho—and Messi burst forward.
Foul. Yellow card for Gonzalo.
Free kick from 24 yards.
Messi stepped up.
Curled it—just wide.
The camera caught him whispering to himself.
"Next one goes in."
Minute 22 – Against the Run
Riquelme swung in a corner. Puyol cleared, but it fell to Senna 25 yards out.
Boom. A thunderbolt.
Goal. 1–0. Villarreal.
The stadium erupted.
Barcelona weren't used to trailing.
Minute 29 – The Response
Barcelona slowed the game. Controlled possession. Messi began to drift wide and drop deep.
Minute 33 — He collected the ball in midfield, turned, and accelerated. Dodged one. Slipped through another. Reached the box, squared for Eto'o.
Shot — saved. Rebound came out—
Messi side-footed it in.
Goal. 1–1.
He didn't celebrate wildly. He jogged to pick the ball up, nodding to the crowd.
Halftime: 1–1
In the locker room, Rijkaard praised their composure.
"Now they're tired. Leo—your movement will open the door. Be patient."
Second Half – Tactical Masterclass
Barcelona returned with sharper focus.
Minute 53 — Ronaldinho to Deco. Deco to Messi, who turned, spotted the overlapping Belletti, and flicked it behind the defense.
Low cross to Giuly.
Goal. 2–1. FC Barcelona.
Assist: Messi.
Minute 66 – Close Again
Messi received a pass 30 yards out. Faked twice. Cut in. Fired with power.
Rattled the bar.
"He's turning this stadium into a training ground," the commentator said.
Minute 78 – The Sealer
Barcelona countered after a failed corner. Xavi found Messi.
He sprinted 40 meters, beating one, then two. Defender clipped him—no whistle. He stayed up.
Final touch to Eto'o—Tap-in.
Goal. 3–1.
Another pre-assist from Messi.
Full-Time: Villarreal 1–3 FC Barcelona
Goals: Senna (22') – Messi (33'), Giuly (53'), Eto'o (78')Assists: Messi (1), Belletti, DecoMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 pre-assist, 4 key passes, 6 dribbles
Post-Match Interview – Spanish Media
Cadena SER:
"Leo, you've now contributed to 70 goals this season. What's driving you?"
Messi:
"I just don't want to waste a second. Football doesn't wait."
El País:
"Did the atmosphere here shake you at all?"
Messi:
"No. I like the noise. It makes the silence after a goal sweeter."
Notebook Entry – May 4, 2005
Anto,They thought they could push me wide and close the door. I waited. Then found a window.And tonight, I left the window open for everyone to see.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 4, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 41
Goals: 33
Assists: 34
Free Kick Goals (Match): 3
Free Kick Goals (Training): 31
Dribbles Completed: 218
Fouls Suffered: 106
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 43
Goals: 36
Assists: 37
Dribbles Completed: 235
National Team Caps (Senior): 0
National Team Goals: 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 30):
1st: FC Barcelona – 87 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 81 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 75 pts
4th: Villarreal – 69 pts
World Football News – May 4
Premier League: Arsenal close gap on United as Henry scores twice.
Serie A: Juventus 1–1 AC Milan – title still undecided.
Bundesliga: Dortmund's Rosický sets league record for assists in a single season.
Argentina: Coach José Pékerman confirms Messi will be tested in friendly vs. Mexico in June.
FIFA Note: Messi becomes most searched player on official FIFA website this month.