Maradona: Messi Golden Ball award a fix

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Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the World Cup Golden Ball and the delegation of the award was something of a fix, in the eyes of Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

World Cup runners-up Argentina showcased their national hero Messi on the world stage this summer and many critics believe the 27-year-old striker did not perform to the world-class standard expected of him, one being the legendary predecessor of the No.10 Argentina shirt, Maradona.

Messi, who is famed for his devastating dribbling and clinical finishing Barcelona, failed to score for his national team against Germany in the World Cup final and he could not net a goal against the Netherlands in the semi-final either.

The Barcelona favourite was awarded the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball, which officially marks him the best player of the 2014 World Cup competition.

Maradona has frowned upon honour and suggested the winner had not been selected on his quality of football but for marketing reasons.

Speaking on his TV show De Zurda, the Argentine said: “I would give heaven and earth to Leo, but when marketing people want him to win something he didn’t deserve to win, it is unfair.”

Maradona, who played as Argentina’s No.10 when the side emerged as winners of the 1986 World Cup, was the very player to be graced with the Golden Ball that summer.

He believes Messi is fully aware he did not meet expectations this World Cup and felt a little awkward collecting his award at the ceremony last night, having made a somewhat sheepish approach.

“I could see that Messi didn’t want to go up and collect it (the award),” he said.


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