Date: May 24, 2005Competition: La Liga – Matchday 33Fixture: FC Barcelona vs. Valencia CFVenue: Camp NouKickoff: 8:30 PMWeather: 17°C, breezyAttendance: 94,100
May 22 – The Reset
The loss to Betis still echoed in the dressing room. Rijkaard didn't call for a hard session. Instead, he played the final 10 minutes of the Copa del Rey loss on the big screen in silence.
"That pain? Hold onto it. Now let's go get what we deserve."
Messi left the room with a fire in his chest.
May 23 – Back to Routine
Messi was back to his freekick drills, working on short-range curls and low-drives. He hit the post five times—frustrated but focused.
Interviewers waited nearby. One asked:
"How do you move on from a final loss?"
"You aim for the next one," Messi answered.
Match Preview – La Liga Title Race (After 32 Matches):
1st: Barcelona – 93 pts
2nd: Real Madrid – 87 pts
3rd: Sevilla – 80 pts
4th: Villarreal – 74 pts
A win tonight seals the title.
Starting XI (Barcelona):
GK: Valdés
DEF: Belletti, Puyol (C), Oleguer, Sylvinho
MID: Xavi, Deco, Iniesta
FWD: Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o
Kickoff – First Half
Valencia, still fighting for a European spot, didn't sit back.
Minute 3 – Baraja had a stinger saved by Valdés. The crowd tensed.
Minute 9 – Messi received the ball near the sideline, danced past one, nutmegged another, drove toward the box—
He passed to Ronaldinho. Back to Messi.
Chip to Eto'o—header!GOAL! 1–0 Barcelona.
The crowd erupted.
Minute 16 – Threat from Valencia
Vicente raced down the left, cut in, and unleashed a shot. Valdés tipped it wide.
On the counter, Messi picked it up again. He weaved past three and was brought down at the edge of the box.
Free kick. Messi took it.
Curling… off the post!
So close.
Minute 28 – Brilliant Build-Up
Iniesta ➝ Xavi ➝ Messi ➝ Eto'oBack to Messi. Backheel to Deco—
Shot—GOAL! 2–0.
It was pure Barça poetry.
Minute 38 – Almost a Hat-trick of Assists
Messi again carved open Valencia's defense, this time threading a pass to Ronaldinho, whose shot was saved spectacularly by Cañizares.
Halftime: 2–0 Barcelona
Inside the tunnel, Puyol turned to Messi:
"We win this, we're champions. Let's end it strong."
Second Half – Joy in Motion
Minute 52 – Ronaldinho floated in a cross. Messi leapt, got his head to it—Saved.
Rebound fell to Deco—he blasted it in.3–0.
Messi with another assist.
Minute 67 – Subbed Off to Applause
Rijkaard subbed Messi off early to rest him for Paris.
The Camp Nou stood and clapped.
Messi waved once—quiet and humble.
"Champions? Not yet," he whispered to himself.
Minute 89 – Consolation for Valencia
Baraja scored a late freekick.
But it didn't matter.
Full-Time: Barcelona 3–1 Valencia
Goals: Eto'o (9'), Deco (28', 52') – Baraja (89')Assists: Messi (2), RonaldinhoMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 2 assists, 6 dribbles, 3 chances created
Barcelona Are La Liga Champions 2004–05
Confetti exploded across Camp Nou. Rijkaard hugged his staff. Puyol lifted the trophy.
Messi held back, smiling in the background.
Ronaldinho pulled him into the center.
"This is yours too, Leo."
Notebook Entry – May 24, 2005
Anto,We're champions. I assisted, I ran, I gave it everything. But I'm not done.One more match. One more crown.Paris.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 24, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 47
Goals: 40
Assists: 42
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 40
Dribbles Completed: 255
Fouls Suffered: 123
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 49
Goals: 43
Assists: 45
Dribbles Completed: 272
World Football News – May 24
Barcelona win La Liga with 2 matches to spare.
Chelsea finish 1st in Premier League under Mourinho.
UCL Final build-up: Messi vs. Terry, Ronaldinho vs. Lampard headlines.
Ballon d'Or Buzz: If Messi scores in Paris, he may become the youngest ever winner.
Argentina announce Messi as part of Copa América senior squad.