Every now and then, a peerless athlete dazzles in a manner so complete, so sublime, we can all see what separates him from the rest. The list is a very long one and very special. Pele, Ali, Jesse Owens anchor that very long list. Recently, we might add, Kobe, Ronaldo, Messi, Pac and Bolt.

This afternoon, Messi reminded all of us what it looks like when a supreme talent gets in the zone. Barcelona was hosting Arsenal (a very good team I might add, my favorite team) at Camp Nou in a Champions League quarter final tie. It had to be seen to be believed. Messi was sublime. He made look easy. He scored a hat trick in 21 minutes of the first half. Come on!! On 90 minutes, he had scored 4 goals, leading in Championship League scoring for the season. Magical was what it was. Unbelievable, sublime. It sucks to lose, but there is something about losing to a talent that for that game was so incredibly better, incomparable, great that it must take off some of the sting for Arsenal.

Lionel Messi = Badassitude. Period.

Chelsea looked great – definitely badass, a team that has always scored high on badassitude. Thoroughly kicked Sunderland’s ass. Ashley Cole was awesome.

Arsenal as always, were fleet footed, and unbelievably sublime. This is the beauty of the Gunners – they are uniquely badass – twinkle toed in playing style but oh so consistently lethal.

Man U bruised there way to a good win.

Man City showed that they were neither truly badass nor did they have the  badassitude deserving of a top 4.

Liverpool? Please!!

Spurs? They are getting close as are Everton perhaps.

Inter. Looked Good

AC Milan – could some of the badassitude Ronaldinho used to have be coming back?

Barcelona – badasses. Period.