メッシ! メッシ! メッシ!

There are superstars and then there are (the superstars of) SUPERSTARS. Professional athletes have long wowed fans and spectators with their awesome skills. From Babe Ruth to Mohammed Ali to Pele to Michael Jordan, a long list of superstars played on a level that inspired awe. Add Lionel Messi to that list of Superstars. Don't you know him? If you don't, I am sure he will soon be a household name during the upcoming World Cup event much like David Beckham was when Japan hosted the World Cup in 2002. Messi, an Argentinian, plays for FC Barcelona.

Last month, in a quarterfinal Champions League match against a strong Arsenal team, Messi single-handedly beat the team. He scored not once, not twice, not even thrice, but four times. This young man is head and shoulders above the rest. He is in a class of his own.

Check out the youtube link of the game. The commentary is in English. How much of it can you catch?

Useful vocabulary
awesome~ 畏敬［畏怖｛いふ｝］の念を抱か せる［起こさせる］、荘厳な,
awe~ 畏敬（の念）、畏怖
a household name~ どこの家庭｛かてい｝でも通じる名前｛なまえ｝、 誰でもよく知っている名前｛なまえ｝、おなじみの名前｛な まえ｝、有名人｛ゆうめいじん｝
*She immediately became a household name when she won the gold medal. :
あの人は金メダルを獲得して一躍有名人となった。
single-handedly~ 人の手を借りずに、独力で、単独で、自力で
thrice~ 三度、3倍に、3回、3重に
be head and shoulders above~ 〔身長を比較し て〕頭と肩の分だけ～より高い
*X is head and shoulders above its competitors in the personal computer market. :
X社はパソコン市場においては、競合他社より断然抜きん出ている。
in a class of one's own~ 《be ～》別格｛べっかく｝だ、比類｛ひるい｝が ない、断然優秀｛だんぜん ゆうしゅう｝だ、際立っている、ずば抜けている