LIONEL "THE ONE" MESSI: A Whole New Level

Phenomenal, Masterful, Magnificent, Splendiferous, Impressive! I'm already exhausted and at a lost for superlatives and he's only 22 years of age.

Sports history is replete with moments of awe, sheer genius and inspired once in a lifetime moments of magic that elevates some players to the status of legend. For some time now I have been fortunate to bear witness to several such moments from the boots of Barca's number ten.

I am admitting here that I am and will remain a Manchester United fan and a supporter and fan of CR9. But as a fan of the sport I can't help but drop my jaw in awe when its greatest proponent currently playing displays such sublime, smooth and superb skills not seen in a long time since Diego Armando Maradona graced the field.

Lionel Andres Messi has been the most consistent and outstanding player at the club level for the past 2 years. He has proven he possesses the gift and the vision to deliver moment after moment of effortless brilliance and over the past 8 days has sought to turn up the heat a notch.

In just one hundred and ninety two hours of which two hundred and seventy minutes were spent on the field of play, Lionel "The One" Messi single handedly transcended the realm of the mere also ran of FC Barcelona to become one of their most outstanding, inspiring and transformational player. Bearing in mind the Catalan club was once home to Ronaldhino, Michael Ladrup, Ronaldo and Romario.

With an hat trick to cap off a week in which the 5ft 6" dynamo scored a total of 8 goals while decimating defenders of opposing teams, Barcelona not only qualified for the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League but also stood up to the challenge being mounted by the new Galacticos of Real Madrid.

Both teams now stand on 68 points although Real is ahead based on enjoying a better goal difference.

His plays can only be described as superb. Against Valencia he scored a beauty from over 25 yards after collecting the ball close to the half line. In today's game against Real Zaragosa and against the pull and tug of a defender he showed strength to maintain his balance and burst into a searing run that saw him dispose of another defender, Matteo Contini, before firing a low powerful shot pass goalkeeper Roberto Jimenez. To the rousing ovation of those so privilege to witness his exploits and to the dismay of his opponents that he continues to leave in his wake with utter disdain and disregard, Messi appears to not only be inspired and finding his stride but to his team mates, coaches and football pundits he is just warming up. They know that this force of nature is just starting to germinate and as he inevitably matures, grow and blossom he will deservedly be ranked among the greatest to ever play the game.

World Cup 2010 in South Africa beckons and we hope will be his defining moment. We are witnessing the opening act of an epic story and with much confidence and anticipation, know that his best is yet to come.

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger I'm sure must have been in attendance if not in person then with personnel if he is to devise a way to contain the little Argentine. Real Madrid also must have taken note of the elevated level of play from a team that could afford to leave off two of its key midfielders Xavi and Iniesta and yet maintained their dominance, shape and trademark fluid and attacking style of play. But can he be stopped?

Wenger and company must be cursing their luck or lack of it. I am most interested in seeing this match up in the quarterfinals. many hearts will be broken and many a point will be made. I had proclaimed before that the road to the UEFA Champions League Title and La Liga goes through Barcelona.

Indeed that point of view still stand but must be revised to include any team that seeks to wrestle the title from the defending champions will have to find a way to contain "The One." A task that is more easily said than done. Messi seems to now score goals at will and one gets the impression at times that he is doing so with such a plum that he is deliberately putting together an highlight real. The manner in which the goals were scored are more telling than the fact that the ball keeps finding its way in the back of the net. His show of strength, determination, tenacity and guile is as important as the points he earns for Barcelona.

He invests a lot of time and energy to become this good and consistent and has been fully deserving of the title of the best in the world. Yet he displays a hunger and level of commitment to deliver even more. These qualities will ultimately inure to his legacy and to more feats of greatness. His attitude and exploits exemplifies the qualities of what a true professional must be and that has been so lacking in professional sports today. His counterpart in the EPL, Wayne Rooney, exhibits similar qualities in strength, determination and hunger for more success. A prerequisite for success that the next generation of soccer players need to emulate.

His 25 goals so far in the La Liga and 34 goals in all competitions has propelled him even further at the top of the list of leading goal scorers. His closest challenge coming from his countryman and Real Madrid marksman, Higuain. This bodes well for Argentina and barring injury, it will be interesting to see how the two combine in South Africa this June.

As the debate rages on as to who is the World's best, Messi or Rooney, I believe the 2008/2009 holder has resoundingly answered the critics, soccer fans, journalists and all pundits and should retain his crown. Rooney has undoubtedly enjoyed his best season so far at Manchester United and has grown a lot since the departure of CR7 Cristiano Ronaldo.

He is progressing to the next level. Messi is already there and at this rate will be establishing a whole new level.