Date: May 29 – June 4, 2005Location: Barcelona, SpainCompetition: La Liga – Matchday 34
May 29 – The Morning After Paris
The streets of Barcelona were quiet.
The heartbreak of the Champions League Final defeat to Chelsea was still raw. Fans wore their scarves but not their smiles. At La Masia, Messi trained alone before the sun came up.
"I scored two. It wasn't enough," he muttered, juggling the ball between steps.
Despite the loss, the world had taken notice of Lionel Messi — and now, he had two more matches to close out a season that had already crowned Barcelona as La Liga champions.
May 31 – Focus Returns
Rijkaard called the squad together. No lectures. Just a short message:
"We've already shown the world what we are. Now, let's end this right. For the fans. For yourselves."
The next match?Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.A chance to thank the supporters.
June 1 – Matchday 34
Fixture: Barcelona vs. Real SociedadVenue: Camp NouWeather: Mild, 18°CAttendance: 92,300
Starting XI (Barcelona):
Valdés – Belletti, Puyol (C), Oleguer, SylvinhoXavi, Deco, IniestaMessi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o
Messi wore a determined expression. No smiles today — only the game.
Kickoff – First Half
Minute 5 – Ronaldinho flicked a pass wide to Messi. He took on his marker immediately, cutting inside and testing the keeper with a low shot. Saved.
Minute 13 – A classic Barça sequence. Iniesta ➝ Xavi ➝ Messi ➝ Ronaldinho ➝ Eto'oBack to Messi—he dummied, then curled it—
GOAL! 1–0 Barcelona.
The crowd erupted. They needed that.
Minute 25 – Messi's Magic
He danced past three defenders, chipped a cross into the box—Ronaldinho volleyed it off the post. So close to a wonder assist.
Messi pressed hard all game, refusing to rest.
Second Half
Minute 54 – Sociedad countered and equalized through Kovacevic. 1–1.
But Barça didn't panic. They responded with style.
Minute 61 – Ronaldinho to Eto'o. Shot—blocked. Rebound to Messi.
He controlled, cut right, and passed low into the corner.GOAL! 2–1. Messi again.
A brace. The fans began chanting his name in unison:
"Meeeessi! Meeeessi!"
Minute 77 – Subbed Off
Rijkaard pulled Messi out to give him a rest and let the fans applaud.
He walked off slowly, offering a wave. For the first time since Paris, he smiled.
Full-Time: Barcelona 2–1 Real Sociedad
Goals: Messi (13', 61') – Kovacevic (54')Assists: Ronaldinho, IniestaMan of the Match: Lionel Messi – 2 goals, 5 dribbles, 3 key passes
Press Reactions
"Messi silences Paris pain with home brilliance." – Marca"If this is the future of football, it's bright." – The Guardian"17-year-old Messi continues his assault on records and reputations alike." – La Vanguardia
Notebook Entry – June 1, 2005
Anto,Scored two today. Not for the trophy. Just for peace.They clapped for me. Chanted my name.For the first time in days, I believe again.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of June 1, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 50
Goals: 46
Assists: 43
Dribbles Completed: 278
Fouls Suffered: 135
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 52
Goals: 49
Assists: 46
Dribbles Completed: 295
World Football News – June 1
La Liga: Barcelona celebrate league title in front of home fans.
Champions League fallout: Barcelona vow to return stronger.
Ballon d'Or Watch: Ronaldinho still leads, but Messi enters top 5 in bookmaker odds.
Transfer Market: Real Madrid preparing massive summer rebuild.