Messi's full career match reports (including youth and unofficial matches)

Date: 16/07/2004
Game: Banyoles 1-1 Barcelona
Stadium: Nou Municipal
Fixture: Friendly

Rijkaard's playing ground, announcing that the 4-3-3 formation will remain for the 2004/05 season as he had done in the second half of the 2003/04 season, as well as the main XI, making some tests.

Messi entered in the second half, though he didn't play according to the expectations, perhaps his measly 1-week vacation to blame. Mundo Deportivo gave him 2/4 stars, claiming that his presence wasn't felt in the game.

The game ended 1-1 with goals from Jonathan for Banyoles and Cristian for Barcelona.

 

Date: 18/07/2004
Game: Figueres 1-2 Barcelona
Stadium: Vilatenim
Fixture: Friendly

Rijkaard took this friendly more seriously, making a better performance than last game against Banyoles. Dominating the first half, Luis García and Ronaldinho put Barcelona ahead 2-0. Figueres put up more of a fight in the second half, getting a goal back thanks to Jito, but Barcelona held on to get their first victory in the pre-season.

Messi played this game more deep in position than usual. He recovered the ball in some occasions and nearly scored via a free-kick. He received a 2/4 rating from Mundo Deportivo.

 

Date: 20/07/2004
Game: Palamós 0-6 Barcelona
Stadium: Camp Municipal of Palamós
Fixture: Friendly

Barcelona dominated throughout the entire game, to clear the doubts left by the previous games. Iniesta, Luis García, Gerard, Messi, and Verdú scored Barcelona's goals to consolidate their victory.

Messi's goal came after confronting two defenders after dribbling past a player and then tricking the goalkeeper with a well-placed shot to the bottom left corner. It was his first unofficial goal with Barcelona. He understood very well with Giuly. Messi received a 3/4 rating from Mundo Deportivo.
















Footage of his goal:

 

Date: 23/07/2004
Game: Hércules 1-1 Barcelona
Stadium: Rico Pérez
Fixture: Friendly

With less players from the starting XI, Barcelona didn't leave a good image at Alicante. The lack of Ronaldinho's presence was noticeable, and no chances at goal were made from either side in the first half. Later in the second half, chances did begin to occur, and with goals from Olguín for Barça and then Jordi Martínez for Hércules, the game ended in a 1-1 draw for Barça's last game before the Asia tour.

Messi didn't receive the ball much in this game, but when he did, it was noticeable. He received a 2/4 rating from Mundo Deportivo.

 

Date: 23/07/2004
Game: Kashima Antlers 0-5 Barcelona
Stadium: National Stadium of Tokyo
Fixture: Friendly (Asia tour)

Kashima Antlers proved to be less aggressive than expected, while Barça took the match more seriously. Goals from Giuly, Larsson, García, and Messi gave Barcelona a comfortable 5-0 win. Ronaldinho took the spotlight with 3 assists, marveling the fully packed crowds.

Messi received a perfect 4/4 rating from Mundo Deportivo, detailing that 'The Argentine youth starred in a debut that could not be more improved in the Asian tour. In 14 minutes, he sent a header against the crossbar and scored the fifth goal.'






Messi's performance in that game:

 

*The date was 01/08/2004, not 23/07/2004.

 

Date: 28/08/2004
Game: Benidorm 1-1 Barcelona B
Fixture: Segunda División B (GW1)

First 'official' game this season for Messi after the Asian tour.

Barcelona B and Benidorm had a close match, with chances for both sides in the first half which were ultimately not converted, leaving the game 0-0 at half-time. It was Verdú who scored the tiebreaker at the 58th minute, but Benidorm pushed back until Toño scored the equalizer that left the game 1-1 at full time.

Messi was the best player in the game, making Benidorm's defense struggle. He had 2 chances in the game but both were saved by Álvaro. He received a 4/4 rating from Mundo Deportivo.