Daily Updates with RF Rizwan Farrukh
Sunday’s tournament finished with Barcelona’s champion on the losing side in Rio de Janeiro, but was nonetheless recognized for his individual excellence in Brazil.
Following his inspirational performances for Argentina at the World Cup 2014, Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball.
The attacker was on the losing side in Sunday’s game decider, with the Albiceleste going down 1-0 to Germany after extra-time in Rio de Janeiro.
Conversely, Messi has been rewarded for carrying his side to the final, with the 27-year-old having racked up four goals and one assist in seven appearances.
When claiming the prestigious prize, Messi imitates the achievement of the man with who he is so often compared, neighbour Diego Maradona, who skippered the Albiceleste to success in Mexico in 1986.
Messi is the third Argentine to receive the Golden Ball, with Mario Kempes having become the opening winner in 1978 on the back of his sensational goal-scoring exploits during the country’s victorious campaign on home soil.
In the meantime, Germany’s sweeper-keeper Manuel Neuer beat off competition from fellow finalist Sergio Romero, Argentina, and Costa Rica shot-stopper, Keylor Navas, for the Golden Glove.
