Date: May 27–28, 2005Competition: UEFA Champions League FinalFixture: FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea FCVenue: Stade de France, ParisKickoff: 8:45 PMWeather: 14°C, light drizzleAttendance: 80,000 (full capacity)
May 27 – Arrival in Paris
The air in Paris was thick with tension and expectation. The Champions League Final. FC Barcelona vs. Chelsea. Strength vs. style. Europe held its breath.
Lionel Messi stood quietly at the Eiffel Tower during the team's light walk. He didn't need to take pictures. This moment was already etched in his soul.
"Tomorrow," he whispered, "the world sees who I am."
Pre-Match Talk – Rijkaard's Message
"We play our football," Rijkaard said. "No matter what pressure they bring, no matter how physical they get. Play with courage. And Leo… don't let anyone dim your light."
Messi nodded. Calm. Focused. Ready.
Starting XI – Barcelona
Valdés – Belletti, Puyol (C), Márquez, van BronckhorstXavi, Deco, IniestaMessi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o
Chelsea XI:Cech – Ferreira, Terry (C), Carvalho, GallasMakelele, Lampard, TiagoRobben, DuffDrogba
Kickoff – First Half
The Stade de France thundered as the game began. Chelsea came out pressing hard, physical from the first minute.
Minute 6 – Messi touched the ball and was instantly taken down by Tiago. No card. Welcome to the final.
Minute 14 – Barcelona Strike First
Messi received the ball from Ronaldinho on the right. He spun past Gallas, cut in on his left foot and fired low.
GOAL! 1–0 Barcelona.
A calm celebration. Hands pointed to the sky. Paris took notice.
Minute 22 – Chelsea React
Lampard launched a brilliant ball into the path of Duff, who cut inside and squared it to Drogba. Shot—GOAL. 1–1.
Barcelona's lead didn't last long.
Minute 30 – The Pressure Grows
Messi tried to weave through again but was flattened by Terry. This time a yellow card.
Rijkaard shouted from the sideline, but Messi just got up. Quiet. Fierce.
Minute 39 – A Spark of Magic
Deco to Ronaldinho. Back to Messi.
He feinted once, twice, skipped past Makelele, slid between Carvalho and Terry, and curled one into the far corner.
GOAL. 2–1 Barcelona.
The crowd erupted. Messi now had a brace in a Champions League final at 17 years old.
Minute 44 – Disaster
Just before halftime, Chelsea forced a corner. Lampard delivered it.
Terry rose highest.GOAL. 2–2.
The teams went into halftime level, but momentum had shifted.
Second Half – Struggle and Collapse
Chelsea turned the game physical. Duff and Robben ran rampant. Makelele kicked anything that moved.
Minute 58 – A quick break. Lampard to Robben, who crossed low—
Drogba tapped it in.3–2 Chelsea.
Barcelona stunned.
Minute 68 – Close Call
Messi tried to respond. He dribbled past Tiago and Terry again and unleashed a shot—
Off the bar.
So close to a hat-trick.
Minute 79 – The Final Blow
A loose pass from Belletti was picked off. Robben danced past two defenders and curled it into the top corner.4–2 Chelsea.
Barcelona players collapsed in disbelief.
Full-Time: Chelsea 4–2 Barcelona
Goals: Drogba (22', 58'), Terry (44'), Robben (79') – Messi (14', 39')Assists: Ronaldinho (2)Man of the Match: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) – 2 assists, 1 pre-assist, controlled midfield
Messi's brace was incredible—but not enough.
Post-Match Reaction
Messi sat alone on the bench, head down. Ronaldinho came over, placed an arm around him.
"You were the best player on the pitch. The world saw it."
Puyol added:
"This is not the end. It's just the start."
Notebook Entry – May 28, 2005
Anto,I scored twice. I gave everything. But we lost.It hurts.But… they all know my name now.Next time, I'll come back stronger.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 28, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 49
Goals: 44
Assists: 43
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 41
Dribbles Completed: 270
Fouls Suffered: 131
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 51
Goals: 47
Assists: 46
Dribbles Completed: 287
World Football News – May 28
UEFA Champions League Final: Chelsea crowned European champions.
Barcelona fall short despite Messi's brace.
FIFA Young Player Buzz: Messi now favorite to win the Golden Boy award.
Ballon d'Or Talk: Ronaldinho remains favorite, but Messi's rise is undeniable.