Messi Doesn’t Deserve Golden Ball Award –Maradona

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, Trending Stories Monday, July 14th, 2014

Argentina legend, Diego Maradona, has said his countryman, Lionel Messi, didn’t deserve to win the Golden Ball as the best Player of the 2014 World Cup.

Messi beat the likes of Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez to the prestigious award, but the 1986 World Cup champion feels the 27-year-old won it for commercial reasons.

“Messi? I would give him heaven if possible,” Maradona said. “But it’s not right when someone wins something that he shouldn’t have won just because of some marketing plan.”

Maradona said Mario Gotze’s goal in extra-time ‘really hurt’ and that the South Americans at least deserved penalties.

The 2010 Argentina coach also hit out at Albiceleste coach, Alejandro Sabella, for taking off Ezequiel Lavezzi at half-time.

“I feel sorry for my country. Mario Gotze’s goal really hurt. There’s a huge sadness in my heart that we lost the final,” he added.

“All things put together, I think Argentina deserved at least penalties. That Germany won was the result of a misunderstanding in the Argentine defence.

“I don’t understand the substitution of Lavezzi. He was phenomenal down the wing. Kun Aguero didn’t have the same impact. It was not his tournament.”

Messi scored four goals in Brazil and assisted the extra-time winner in the last-16 against Switzerland, but failed to show his brilliance in the other knockout stage games including the World Cup final.

(AP)