Date: March 14–16, 2005Setting: Barcelona – Camp Nou, La Masia, National HeadlinesMood: Euphoria meets expectation
The morning after El Clásico, Messi woke up to silence.
Not the usual hum of La Masia.Not the sound of boots outside his door.
Just stillness—and sunlight filtering through the window.
He reached for his phone.Twenty-three missed calls.
His voicemail was full. Reporters. Friends from Rosario. A few voices he hadn't heard in years.
But one message stood out:
"Hola, Leo. This is Hugo Tocalli from the AFA. We'd like to speak with you."
March 14 – A Storm of Praise
The newspapers were merciless.
Mundo Deportivo:"Messiah in the Clásico"AS (Madrid):"Messi shatters Madrid with magic"L'Équipe (France):"A new god at Camp Nou"Clarin (Argentina):"Rosario's son rules Spain"
Even rival fans had to admit it—Messi had not just played the Clásico.He owned it.
Training That Afternoon
Despite being sore, Messi arrived early.
The team welcomed him with applause. Ronaldinho hugged him. Eto'o gave him a light slap on the back.
"Now you're really one of us."
Rijkaard gathered the team before warm-ups.
"Great win. But we haven't won anything yet."
He turned to Messi.
"And Leo—when the world lifts you, stay grounded. The air is thinner up there."
Messi nodded.
He already felt it.The weight of eyes. The expectation.
March 15 – The Letter
Back in his room, he opened a new envelope from Rosario.
This time, it wasn't from his mother.It was from Antonella.
Leo,They showed the match here. People cried. Even your father hugged strangers in the street.But you… you didn't look happy when you scored.Are you okay? Are you still you?Please write back.– Anto
He closed his eyes.She was right.
He'd celebrated. But something inside him had gone quiet.
Not fear. Not sadness.Just… the reality of the dream.
March 16 – The Call
That evening, Rijkaard pulled him aside after training.
"Argentina called again."
Messi blinked.
"For real?"
"Yes. They want you for the U-20 squad next month. World Cup prep."
For a second, Leo just stood there.
He wasn't just Barcelona's boy now.He was Argentina's, too.
Notebook Entry – March 16, 2005
Anto,I got the letter. I read it twice.You're right. I didn't feel joy when I scored. I felt… breathless. Like the moment was too big for emotion.But it meant everything. Not because of Madrid. Because you were watching.I've been called up to the Argentina U-20s. I don't know if I'm ready. But I'm going.For you. For Rosario.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of March 16, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 33
Goals: 22
Assists: 26
Free Kick Goals (Match): 1
Free Kick Goals (Training): 14
Dribbles Completed: 168
Fouls Suffered: 80
Interviews: 6 total
Endorsements signed: 1 (Adidas youth partnership – announced soon)
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 33
Goals: 22
Assists: 26
Dribbles Completed: 168
National Team Matches: 0
National Team Goals: 0
La Liga Standings (After Matchday 22):
1st: Barcelona – 63 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 57 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 56 pts
4th: Villarreal – 53 pts
World Football News – March 16
Premier League: Wayne Rooney scores twice in a FA Cup thriller.
Serie A: AC Milan confirm interest in young midfielder from Ajax – Wesley Sneijder.
Bundesliga: Ballack to leave Bayern in the summer. English clubs circling.
South America: Argentina's U-20 squad adds Lionel Messi to training camp list for April.