Date: May 21, 2005Competition: Copa del Rey FinalFixture: FC Barcelona vs. Real BetisVenue: Estadio Vicente Calderón, MadridKickoff: 9:00 PMWeather: 18°C, clear skiesAttendance: 54,000 (full house)
May 20 – Madrid Arrival
The capital welcomed Barcelona with noise, banners, and pressure. Despite already reaching the Champions League final and leading La Liga, Rijkaard wanted this trophy too—to silence critics who still called his side "potential, not proven."
Messi's focus was intense. He trained on set-pieces longer than anyone else, drilling low curlers, top-corner screamers, and dead-center rockets. Ronaldinho watched.
"Trying to break the net?" he joked.
"Trying to break the silence," Messi said.
Matchday Morning – A Calm Before Fire
Antonella messaged him from Rosario:
"You're playing in another final today. We're all watching."
He replied:
"Hope you see a goal. Or two."
Starting XI (Barcelona)
GK: Víctor Valdés
DEF: Belletti, Puyol (C), Márquez, van Bronckhorst
MID: Xavi, Deco, Iniesta
FWD: Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o
Kickoff – First Half
Minute 2 – Betis pressed early. Their striker Oliveira forced a save from Valdés.
Minute 7 – Messi touched the ball for the first time and was instantly hacked down. Free kick. He stood up quietly, no protest.
Minute 11 – Ronaldinho to Messi on the right. Messi feinted inside, burst past two defenders, entered the box—
Low strike—GOAL!1–0 Barcelona.
Perfect start.
Minute 17 – Betis Fight Back
Denílson and Joaquín combined beautifully on the left. A floated ball found Oliveira—header!GOAL. 1–1.
Game on.
Minute 30 – Tempo Rises
Messi tracked back, tackled, and launched a counter. He passed to Xavi, who set Ronaldinho free down the left. Dinho crossed—
Eto'o volleyed—GOAL. 2–1.
Assists: Messi ➝ Xavi ➝ Ronaldinho ➝ Eto'o.
A team goal. A Barça goal.
Minute 42 – Another Chance
Free kick for Barcelona just outside the box.
Messi lined it up. He whispered something. Took a breath.
Strike—low and fast—off the bar!
Deco followed up—saved.
So close.
Halftime: 2–1 Barcelona
Inside the tunnel, Rijkaard said:
"If you want to lift it, keep playing your football. No fear."
Puyol:
"Let's finish this."
Second Half – A Turn
Minute 52 – Betis returned stronger. Joaquín cut inside and curled a stunning shot into the top corner.Goal. 2–2.
Barcelona were stunned.
Messi looked toward the bench. Rijkaard didn't move.
"You solve it," he mouthed.
Minute 63 – Almost There
Deco sent Messi down the right. He skipped past two, cut inside, and curled—
Saved!Dida dove fully to deny it.
Eto'o's rebound was blocked off the line.
Minute 78 – Fatigue Sets In
Barça looked tired. Final tension. Messi crumpled under a challenge and stayed down.
He got up again.
"Still breathing," he told Ronaldinho.
Minute 84 – The Heartbreaker
Betis earned a corner. Denílson curled it in. Valdés punched, but the ball landed at Fernando.
Smash—GOAL. 3–2 Betis.
Shock in the stands.
Minute 89 – Final Push
Messi dropped deep, dribbled from his own half. Three dribbles. Four.
He reached the box. Slid in Ronaldinho—Shot blocked.
Corner. One last chance.
Ball curled in—Puyol's header—wide.
Full-Time: FC Barcelona 2–3 Real Betis
Goals: Messi (11'), Eto'o (30') – Oliveira (17'), Joaquín (52'), Fernando (84')Assists: Ronaldinho, DecoMan of the Match: Joaquín (Betis) – 1 goal, 1 assist
Trophy Ceremony – Runners-Up
Betis celebrated wildly. Barça clapped respectfully. Rijkaard placed a hand on Messi's shoulder.
"Remember this pain. One day, we lift it."
Notebook Entry – May 21, 2005
Anto,We lost. And it burns.But I don't want to forget this feeling. One day, we'll lift everything.Paris is next. We're not done.— Leo
Lionel Messi – Updated Stats (as of May 21, 2005)
Season (Club):
Matches: 46
Goals: 40
Assists: 40
Free Kick Goals (Match): 4
Free Kick Goals (Training): 38
Dribbles Completed: 249
Fouls Suffered: 120
Career Totals (Club + Country):
Matches: 48
Goals: 43
Assists: 43
Dribbles Completed: 266
World Football News – May 21
Copa del Rey: Real Betis win first title since 1977.
UCL Final: Set for May 28, Stade de France. Barcelona vs Chelsea.
La Liga: One win away from sealing the title.
FIFA: Confirm Messi's inclusion in Argentina's U-20 World Cup squad. Senior debut also expected in Copa América.