Date: May 10, 2005Competition: UEFA Champions League – Semifinal (1st Leg)Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. AC MilanVenue: Camp NouKickoff: 8:45 PMWeather: 16°C, ClearAttendance: 96,000 (full capacity)
Pre-Match – A Colosseum of Eyes
As the players warmed up, flashes erupted from the stands. The atmosphere was electric. Barcelona hadn't reached this stage in years. Milan—defending champions—stood in their path.
Messi did keepy-uppies near the corner flag, but his eyes were fixed on Maldini and Nesta. The titans. The legends. The wall.
Ronaldinho jogged by, smiled:
"Let's draw something they'll never forget."
Kickoff – First Half Begins
Barça pressed early. Milan sat deep, tight and patient.
Minute 4 — Messi dropped into midfield, picked the ball from Xavi, and glided forward. He beat Gattuso with a quick nutmeg and released Eto'o.
Eto'o shot—wide.
A warning sign.
Minute 11 – Milan Respond
Pirlo floated in a brilliant pass over the top to Shevchenko. Valdés rushed out—save!
The crowd gasped.
Messi turned and sprinted back on the next play, intercepting a pass, showing his defensive hunger.
Minute 19 – A Bolt from the Right
Messi received near the right sideline. One-on-one with Maldini.
A stepover. A fake. A sudden burst of speed past the veteran. Messi entered the box—cut inside.
Left-footed curler—GOAL!
1–0 Barcelona.
The stadium roared. Messi slid on his knees, arms out wide. Ronaldinho lifted him up.
"Remember this feeling," Dinho said.
Minute 31 – Calm Before the Storm
Milan held possession. Seedorf and Kaká pushed higher. Messi dropped deeper to support. His passing range kept stretching them.
He found Ronaldinho with a through-ball in minute 34.
Ronnie juggled once, passed across—Eto'o missed by inches.
Halftime: 1–0 Barcelona
In the locker room, Rijkaard warned:
"Milan will come out angry. Keep your heads."
Messi stared at his boots.
"One more."
Second Half – A New Battle
Milan returned sharper. Aggressive. Kaká turned on the edge of the box and whipped a strike—Valdés saved again.
Minute 54 — Messi, under pressure, danced through three midfielders. His burst sent the Camp Nou into rhythm.
He laid it off to Deco, got it back, played in Eto'o—
Blocked by Nesta.
Minute 61 – From Distance
Barcelona earned a free kick. 27 yards.
Messi stepped up. Ronaldinho gave him a wink.
Curling shot—off the post!
The crowd screamed.
So close.
Minute 68 – Milan Strike Back
Pirlo floated a deep corner. Maldini headed it down.
Goal. 1–1.
The air left Camp Nou.
Minute 72 – Messi Responds
Straight from kick-off, Messi accelerated with fury. He beat one. Then two. Reached the box.
Shot—saved. Rebound fell to Deco—GOAL! 2–1 Barcelona.
Assist: Messi.
Minute 80 – The Blow
Kaká countered. Beat Márquez. Slid a perfect pass to Shevchenko—
Chip over Valdés. GOAL. 2–2.
Milan were deadly.
Minute 89 – One Last Try
Messi, breathless, picked the ball in midfield. One final run. He took on Gattuso, then Pirlo.
Passed to Xavi. Got it back.
Curled a shot—just over the bar.
Full-Time: FC Barcelona 2–2 AC Milan
Goals: Messi (19'), Deco (72') – Maldini (68'), Shevchenko (80')Assists: Messi, KakáMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 dribbles, 5 key passes
Post-Match Interview – UEFA
Interviewer:
"Leo, it's a draw. But it feels like a win?"
Messi:
"No. It's 2–2 at home. We have to go to San Siro now. And there, one mistake… you pay."
Notebook Entry – May 10, 2005
Anto,Milan are warriors. But I scored against them. I passed through legends tonight.And I'm not afraid of the San Siro.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 10, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 43
Goals: 36
Assists: 37
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 35
Dribbles Completed: 229
Fouls Suffered: 111
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 45
Goals: 39
Assists: 40
Dribbles Completed: 246
World Football News – May 10
UCL: Chelsea draw Bayern in another semifinal—2–2 as well.
Copa América: Brazil releases full squad; Ronaldo and Adriano lead the line.
Ballon d'Or Watch: Messi now 3rd in betting odds.
FIFA Awards Rumor: New "Rising Star" category may debut in December.