When Argentinean forward Lionel Messi walked dejectedly up the stairs of the Estádio Maracanã to greet Sepp Blatter and company following the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, more than a few people raised their eyebrows in surprise.
He was there to collect the Golden Ball, cementing his status as the tournament’s best player, at least according to the governing body’s technical committee.
German keeper Manuel Neuer had previously collected the Golden Glove, rightfully, in recognition of his presence between the sticks for his country.
Yet, while Neuer’s award was unsurprising, was Messi the right man to receive the Golden Ball?
It could be argued that three German players – Neuer himself, Thomas Müller, and Mats Hummels – deserved it more than Messi. While Javier Mascherano was arguably Argentina’s player of the tournament. And that’s without mentioning the talents of Colombian James Rodriguez.
While Messi may not have played out of his skin in the group stages, his four goals had almost single-handedly ensured Argentina finished atop of Group F.
The diminutive maestro also produced a moment of magic to set up compatriot Angel di Maria in the round of 16 clash against Switzerland, helping to seal a 1-0 extra-time win with a crucial assist.
Yet he remained goalless in the knockout stages, and didn’t conjure up much more than a few half-chances.
His runs were halted when man-marked by three opposition players, he failed to find teammates with decisive passes, and, like always, his work rate was questionable.
While there’s no doubt Lionel Messi is not required, or asked, to run around the pitch like a mad man, his approach to the World Cup at times did not impress.
Further, his reactions during the final could be described as nothing short of disgraceful, unbefitting of a talisman and most certainly unbefitting of Argentina’s captain.
The key moment was during the break following full-time, with the scores level at 0-0. Argentina had put in an admirable performance, based on their defensive prowess, and coach Alejandro Sabella attempted to rally his troops one final time.
Yet captain and star man Messi looked uninterested, and appeared to walk away from the team talk halfway through. Mascherano was left to take over.
https://vine.co/v/MxjWOHhlgFw
Surely a captain should be in the mix, adding encouraging words to his manager’s impassioned speech?
He was likely frustrated, and it’s well publicised that Messi doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Sabella, but that doesn’t excuse his actions.
Messi did produce moments of brilliance in the first half of the finale, but he faded in the second half, blazing wide his one opportunity, and he failed to inspire his side to victory.
As he begrudgingly accepted his Golden Ball award, there was a sense that this loss was more about him than about Argentina.
Fans didn’t feel sorry for Argentina, they felt sorry for Messi. Sorry that one of the world’s greatest ever players had once again failed to live up to expectations, sorry that he had failed to emulate the exploits of Diego Maradona and Pelé.
This was supposed to be Lionel Messi’s World Cup, but Mario Götze’s injury-time winner put an end to that. Handing Messi a conciliatory award did not impress anyone, certainly not the recipient himself.
He was sour upon receiving the award, and looked like he just wanted to crawl into a shell. And fair enough.
But just because the tournament’s most talented player lost a World Cup many felt he deserved, doesn’t mean he should be rewarded.
Maradona led the calls lambasting the decision, labelling it a “marketing” gimmick, while Sabella stood by his star man, describing his tournament as “extraordinary”.
Everyone apart from Sabella, though, is most likely aware that Rodriguez, Colombia’s golden child, was the more deserved Golden Ball winner.
He was a shining light in the World Cup, and the Golden Boot winner too. How he was overlooked is a mystery, especially as France’s Paul Pogba pipped him to the honour as the tournament’s top young player.
Messi may be an extraordinary talent, and he will easily go down as one of the game’s greatest ever players, but he was not the player of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he did not deserve the Golden Ball.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I agree with Robben, but the real problem in deciding the Golden Ball winner, was that individuals who normally make a difference, were effectively snuffed out by well-organised defences. Teams were outstanding, not individuals.
Bondy
Guest
Fuss Just wondering if you could figure something out. With Youtube I can't understand why there aren't any Football (Soccer) videos in the sports section, popular sports there are Rugby, Jujitsu, Surfing, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Aussie Rules though it appears people dont watch them ...
Steve
Guest
Agreed. But how is it ok for James to be underwhelming (being hacked) while it is not ok for Messi (double teamed)?
Martin
Guest
Germany was lucky that Brazil beat Colombia by one goal; if not for that the Germans would have struggled to overcome the brilliant Colombians.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Robben. Looked deadly just about every time he had the ball. Would have been a no-brainier had he not been in the spotlight for pulling the oldest Latin American/Italian trick in the book
Declan
Guest
James, Lahm, Robben or Navas
Anthony Ferguson
Guest
Definitely looked like a consolation prize for Messi and I agree he wasn't the best player and most of the others mentioned deserved it more. He also didn't seem too passionate about not winning the cup either. I seem to recall him smiling when he missed that gilt edged chance. Maradona would have been rolling on the floor in self-loathing after missing a chance like that. Granted Leo is a much better human being than Diego, but at 30 next time around I think he has missed his chance to dominate a World Cup. Shame cos he deserved to. I also think this was much more a World Cup of excellent teams than excellent individuals.
Adam
Guest
Of course James was underwhelming as Brazil hacked Colombia out of the tournament
AZ_RBB
Guest
I imagine Navas' reward will come in the form of a very handsome looking contract from Real Madrid.
Jayden
Guest
I was thinking Neuer or Keylor Navas were both good shouts. In a group against Uruguay, italy and England, followed by knockouts with Greece and Holland. Navas conceded once in open play, the man played ridiculously well. Other nominees: Kroos, Muller, Rodriguez, Mascherano, Robben
Pravin
Guest
Muller or Rodriguez
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Bondy I think Thomas Muller had a terrific tournament, but there were other German players better than him in many games. When I reviewed the "Man of the Match" for each of the 64 matches, Muller only won 2 awards: vs POR & USA. He played well against Brasil .. but every German player was exceptional, and Toni Kroos was MoTM that day. As I recall, Muller did nothing special against GHA, ALG, FRA.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
It has to go to a player from the winning team to take some of the subjectivity out of it. Most consistently good player for Germany was Neuer. So my vote is for Neuer
Bondy
Guest
Fuss Interesting how they decide that vote at halftime. What if Muller scored a brace in the second half with 15 min's to go . The final shouldn't decide the vote but would weigh heavily on the final decision one would think , I'd wait until the final whistle blew it couldn't be that hard ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
As far as I know, it has historically been an award voted by a select group of media. The Fifa Technical Committee just provide the short-list. Also, I heard the voting is completed by half-time of the Finale.
Ginger71
Guest
FIFA technical committe do, they have said maybe in the future it can be opened up to the media.
Scuba
Guest
I would have had Robben as the winner as well. Yes, he gets criticised for being theatrical, but he had a tremendous tournament. Messi was excellent in the group stages but was well handled in the knockout stages - I would say that Mascherano was more pivotal in shepherding Argentina to the final. Muller was very good but I think it would be unfair to elevate him above what was truly a team effort from Germany. James probably needed to get through one more stage - has a golden ball winner ever come from a team that has not reached the semis?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
A perfect summary, Steve!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Any subjective decision will be open to personal biases. I probably wouldn't have chosen Leo as The Golden Ball winner - my winner would be Arjen Robben. But, Leo also had an outstanding tournament. I reckon, in 5 of the 7 matches he was outstanding. Not outstanding like he is at Barcelona; but outstanding in carrying his team to the World Cup finale. I would also have been happy to see Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, or James Rodriguez win the trophy. For the record, Muller won the Silver Ball & Robben the Bronze Ball.
Steve
Guest
What was so special about Mueller against France, as an example? He in fact touched the ball a lot less in this match than Messi did in Messi's worst game (Netherlands).