Date: February 9, 2005Competition: Copa del Rey – Quarter-Final, 2nd LegFixture: Sevilla FC vs. FC BarcelonaVenue: Estadio Ramón Sánchez PizjuánAggregate: Barcelona 2–1 SevillaKickoff: 9:00 PMAttendance: 45,000Weather: Humid and tense, 12°C
The team bus pulled up to a wall of red and white smoke.
Sevilla's ultras were screaming long before kickoff — chanting, banging drums, throwing streamers. Some even booed when Messi stepped off the bus.
He kept his head down. Earbuds in. Calm breath.
But inside?The fire was rising.
Rijkaard's Decision
Messi wasn't in the starting XI.Not as punishment.As a weapon.
"They'll wear themselves out trying to break us," Rijkaard explained."You go in when they think they've done enough."
Messi nodded.
He was patient.
First Half
The match was chaos.
Sevilla flew forward from the first whistle, driven by noise and desperation. Dani Alves and Jesús Navas overloaded the flanks. In the 12th minute, a low cross ricocheted and fell kindly for Julio Baptista.
He didn't miss.GOAL. Sevilla 1–0. Aggregate 2–2.
The stadium exploded.
Barcelona looked stunned. Sevilla didn't slow down. By the 30th minute, Valdés had made three key saves.
Ronaldinho tried to calm things, but space was tight. Eto'o was marked. Xavi was trapped.
At halftime, Rijkaard didn't yell.He just turned to the bench.
"Leo. Warm up."
Minute 60: Enter Messi
When he walked onto the pitch, the boos were deafening.
But Messi didn't look at the crowd. He looked at Alves, already waving to teammates to track him again.
And he smiled — just a little.
"Let's go," he whispered.
The Impact
In the 63rd minute, Messi touched the ball for the first time. He received from Iniesta, flicked it behind his back with his heel, and drew a foul just outside the box.
Free kick. 24 yards out.
He placed the ball carefully.
A breath. A glance.Curl.
Off the post. Again.So close. The keeper was rooted.
The crowd gasped. Even Alves clapped twice.
Minute 71: The Break
Xavi switched play wide to Sylvinho. He clipped it down the line to Messi, who took it in stride.
Alves pressed.Messi turned. Faked inside. Faked again. Then burst down the line.
He got to the byline, looked up, cut the ball low across the box.
Ronaldinho let it run.Eto'o struck it.
GOAL. Barcelona 1–1 (3–2 agg). Assist: Messi.
He didn't celebrate.He just ran back into position.
This wasn't over.
Minute 88: One More Moment
Sevilla pushed with everything.Messi picked up a loose clearance just inside his own half.
He sprinted.One man. Two. Passed wide to Ronaldinho. Kept running.
Ronnie waited, then backheeled it into his path.
Now Messi vs. the keeper.
Low shot.GOAL.
Barcelona 2–1. (4–2 agg). Messi.
He stood there in front of the Sevilla crowd — not taunting, not smiling.Just breathing.
Like a storm had passed through him.
Final Score:
Sevilla 1–2 Barcelona (2–4 agg)Barcelona advances to the Copa del Rey Semi-Finals
Post-Match Interview
Reporter: "Messi, you came on in the second half and changed the game. What was going through your head?"
Messi:
"They were playing with passion. I just tried to stay calm. Find space. Keep running."
Reporter: "You nearly scored a second free kick. It seems like you're getting close."
Messi:(nods)
"They'll go in. I just need to keep talking to the ball."
Reporter: "The crowd booed you hard when you came on. Did it bother you?"
Messi:
"No. I didn't hear them. I only heard the ball."
Notebook Entry – February 9, 2005
Anto,They screamed, whistled, booed. But I was calm.I made one assist. One goal. Almost a free kick too.I didn't let it get to me. I just ran. Found space. Played with heart.I think I'm ready now. For anything.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of Feb 9, 2005)
Season (Club Only):
Appearances: 26
Goals: 15
Assists: 15
Free Kick Goals: 1
Dribbles Completed: 120
Fouls Suffered: 56
Yellow Cards: 0
Copa del Rey (4 matches):
Goals: 3
Assists: 4
Total Career Stats (Club + Country)
Total Matches: 26
Total Goals: 15
Total Assists: 15
Dribbles Completed: 120
National Team Matches: 0
National Team Goals/Assists: 0 / 0
Next Fixture Preview:La Liga – Matchday 19Barcelona vs. Real SociedadDate: February 13, 2005Current Standings:
Barcelona – 51 pts
Real Madrid – 48 ptsSociedad Form: 13th, shaky defense but quick transitions