LIONEL MESSI HAS won the Golden Ball as the outstanding player of the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina’s superstar collected the award after leading the Albiceleste to their first final in 24 years.
There was no fairytale ending though as Mario Götze scored the winner in extra-time to clinch the World Cup for Germany.
Despite his low-key performance in the Maracanã, Messi was selected by FIFA’s Technical Study Group from the 10-man shortlist named earlier this week.
Germany’s Thomas Müller — who finished the tournament with five goals and three assists — won the Silver Ball while Holland’s Arjen Robben won the Bronze Ball.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals while German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer won the Golden Gloves as best goalkeeper.
Colombia won the Fair Play Award as the team with the best disciplinary record while France’s Paul Pogba collected the Young Player Award.
Messi was clearly not player of the tournament, shocking decision!
Yes agree Messi did not live up to his reputation age catching up on him
Age catching up on him? Hes 27…
have we set the bar higher in our minds for messi because of his ability? Without him Argentina wouldn’t have been near the final. What other player carried his team along?
Robben for one. It’s a disgraceful decision.
James Rodriguez wins the golden boot whilst playing 2 games less than Messi, Muller, Robben and Van Persie and people are still saying Messi was the best player in the tournament.
Rodriguez was the best by quite a distance, no question.
“Rodriguez was the best by quite a distance, no question.”
^
Ah here… He’s a viable option but of course it can be questioned. Breakout star of the tournament? Almost definitely. But scoring the most goals is not indicative of the best player, regardless of number of games played.
Disagree..schweinsteiger or maschearno.
That’s outrages Robben is a complete cheat – fallen all over the place looking for cheap advantage. The man’s a disgrace to the game.
Mascherano for me was the best player in the competition. Similar player to Roy Keane at his peak, and in all honesty probably a much better player than Keane. Like having a manager on the field of play.
Unfortunately for Argentina, once you took out the top 5 or 6 players from their team, the remainder would probably struggle to make the German squad.
Shocking decision giving Messi best player. Had to be Mueller or Rodriguez.
Messi shouldn’t even make team of the tournament. Didn’t play well enough.
Masherano???
That’s bull !!!! Rodriguez should have got that golden ball aswell !!!
He wasn’t even Argentina’s best player… Man’s a genius but don’t think he excelled over the month.
How long before we see john terry photoshopped onto the podium?
Why am i thinking Messi winning the golden ball has something to do with a certain sport manufacturers sponsorship money to FIFA.
Voted by journalists, so no influence at all.
voted for by fifa technical committee, not journalists
Ah journalists; the most incorruptible of all professions
No Dara the committee draw up the 10 man shortlist and journalists vote on it shortly after half time.
Messi wasn’t even close to being player of the tournament. A couple of good moments alright but not player of the tournament . I reckon it should have been Philip Lahm, unbelievably consistent. Great at tackling, never gives away possession and can pick out some great passes. Football politics awarding it to Messi.
Agreed Messi was not been the player of the tournament but I think it’s going to be a Shame for someone who has been the best footballer in the world for the past five years may win everything except the World Cup. He is obviously not 100 per cent fit compared to the Messi that destroyed United in two champion leagues finals. He has not been right this season, for whatever reason and not covered ground like he did two years ago( goal against Real Madrid in champions league semi final). He deserves to be compared to Maradona however I think he has failed to grasp his chance tonight.
Neuer should have won all three!!
You’ll find there is a shocking bias against goalkeepers in Golden Boot competitions
Would agree about Neuer.. But Mascherano was brilliant all the way though the tournament.. Definetly the best outfield player.
I thought the goal keeper from Costa Rica would win the golden glove disappointed
Id agree with robben , he was fantastic throughout the tournament and always looked like making something happen in a really good Dutch side. Messi didn’t do much in the knockout rounds , the last two games in particular where he seemed to do a lot of strolling around and just wasn’t in the game
Great fan of Messi but Robben most influential player in every game he played
Again did no one notice Robben falling all over the place looking for cheap advantage. The man’s a disgrace to the game.
Brazil get a bucket of fools gold.
what a farce he wasnt even the best argentinian player mascherano was .. thought rodriguez robben or muller deserved the best player but neuer defiantly deserved best keeper he was immense at the back . messi seems to have passed his peak not the same player he was from 09-11
Although Messi mightent have deserved the golden ball at times he carried Argentina in the group stages when they were struggling which showed how valuable a player he is
What a joke but to be fair to messi he did to want it, you could see that in him FIFA are a joke really are
Didn’t want it
Messi for me was the player of the tournament. He only got that one chance to score in the final. But what a difference a fit di Maria would have made.
I meant without. Messi argentina would have.been. probably one. Of the wors competitors.
Just saying neuer completed more passes in the tournament than messi…
Messi. Played his best in this competition, it so happened that the entire argentina squad is not as sophisticated the way the baceleona team use to some seasons ago. With Messi argentina would have been among the weakest teams in this world cup competition.