Date: May 14, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 32Fixture: Levante UD vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Estadi Ciutat de ValènciaKickoff: 7:30 PMWeather: Warm, 21°CAttendance: 26,300
May 12 – Recovery and Resolve
After the 2–2 draw against Milan, the team focused on recovery. Rijkaard held a short session, mostly stretching and mental work. But he called Messi aside.
"I'll rest you against Levante. You'll come off the bench if we need magic."
Messi nodded.
"Let's hope you don't."
May 13 – Interview with 'El Mundo Deportivo'
Messi, shy as ever, agreed to a written interview.
Q: Did the Milan defenders intimidate you?Messi: "No. They teach you how much more you still have to learn."
Q: Are you chasing the Ballon d'Or now?Messi: "I'm still chasing my best version."
Q: Your toughest rival?Messi: "Time. I want to improve before it catches me."
Matchday – Subtle Threat
Barcelona rotated several players. Ronaldinho was rested. Messi started on the bench. Iniesta and Giuly began in attack alongside Eto'o.
Levante, sitting in the relegation zone, fought like a team with nothing to lose.
Kickoff – First Half
Minute 8 – Xavi played a lofted ball to Giuly. He chested, volleyed—saved by the Levante keeper.
Minute 17 – Levante countered. A long-range shot hit the post. Barça escaped.
Minute 24 – Giuly again with a curled shot—Goal! 1–0.
But Levante pressed back. Their striker, Riga, hit the side netting twice.
Minute 38 – Sloppiness
A misplaced pass from van Bronckhorst fell to Rivera. He played it through—
Riga finished coolly.Goal. 1–1.
Barcelona looked out of rhythm.
Halftime: 1–1
Rijkaard looked at Messi.
"Ready?"
"I was born ready."
Second Half – Messi Arrives
Minute 46 – Messi on for Giuly.
His first touch: a turn past two midfielders. The stadium buzzed. Even Levante's home fans applauded.
Minute 52 – Messi carried the ball through the middle, passed to Iniesta on the overlap, and darted into the box.
Cross came in—Messi flicked it—GOAL. 2–1.
Effortless.
Minute 60 – Barcelona Dominate
Now flowing, Barça pushed Levante deeper. Deco and Iniesta controlled the tempo.
Minute 68 – Messi drew three defenders, slid a reverse pass into space—Eto'o ran on and finished low.Goal. 3–1.
Assist: Messi.
Minute 74 – Free Kick Practice
Barcelona earned a free kick 25 yards out. Messi placed the ball.
The fans hushed.
Strike—curling over the wall—just over.
Ronaldinho clapped from the bench.
"Getting closer," he shouted.
Minute 86 – Defensive Test
Levante threw men forward. Messi tracked back, stealing the ball and launching a counter. No goal this time—but the effort was noted.
Full-Time: Levante 1–3 FC Barcelona
Goals: Giuly (24'), Messi (52'), Eto'o (68') – Riga (38')Assists: Messi, IniestaMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 dribbles, 1 interception, sub appearance
Post-Match Flash Interview
LaLigaTV:
"You changed the game again. What's your secret?"
Messi:
"Play like you only have five minutes left. One day, it'll be true."
Notebook Entry – May 14, 2005
Anto,They say resting is good. But watching is hard. I need the ball at my feet to feel okay.Today was another step. Milan is close now. San Siro waits. And I don't plan on backing down.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 14, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 44
Goals: 37
Assists: 38
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 36
Dribbles Completed: 235
Fouls Suffered: 113
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 46
Goals: 40
Assists: 41
Dribbles Completed: 252
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 32):
1st: FC Barcelona – 93 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 87 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 78 pts
4th: Villarreal – 71 pts
World Football News – May 14
Premier League: Arsenal defeat Manchester United 2–1. Title goes down to final week.
Serie A: Juventus confirm title win after Inter lose 0–1.
Champions League: Milan confirm Inzaghi's return for 2nd leg.
Ballon d'Or: Messi's name now top 3 in every major poll.
FIFA: Set to invite Messi for official U-20 World Cup promotion.