The
decision to award the Golden Ball for the 2014 World Cup's best player
to Argentina forward Lionel Messi has been greeted with surprise in many
quarters.
Messi
performed well in the group stages, scoring four goals in three games
against Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria but his star has faded since, with the
Barcelona star failing to find the net in knockout matches against
Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
In the final against Germany, Messi flashed one gilt-edged opportunity wide but otherwise struggled to influence proceedings.
Nonetheless,
after the final whistle, he was presented with the adidas Golden Ball,
ahead of other leading contenders such as Colombia's James Rodriguez,
Holland's Arjen Robben and German trio Manuel Neuer, Bastian
Schweinsteiger and Thomas Muller.
It
has led the conspiracy theorists to suggest that Messi, an ambassador
for adidas, may have been granted preferential treatment, although it
should be noted that the German firm also have links with Monaco star
Rodriguez and they manufacture Germany kits.
Further
speculation was triggered when it emerged that for the first time the
Golden Ball was decided by FIFA's Technical Committee, rather than by a
media vote.
The
general consensus, however, remains that Messi was a little fortunate to
receive the award and that his name and reputation may have earned him
the prize.
Former
England captain Rio Ferdinand said on the BBC: 'I would have gone with
James Rodriguez. He has played that exciting, attacking football and he
has been trying to hurt the opposition. Messi has had some magic moments
but you want them consistently.'
Speaking
on his final appearance as a BBC pundit, Alan Hansen echoed Ferdinand's
sentiments, stating: 'I didn't think Messi has done enough. Four or
five of the Germans have played better over the tournament.'
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