Fifa president Sepp Blatter was “surprised”
Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the World Cup
Golden Ball award.
Barcelona forward Messi, 27, was named as the
tournament’s best player after his side lost 1-0
to Germany in Sunday’s final in Rio de Janeiro.
Blatter said: “I was a little bit surprised when I
saw Messi coming up to collect the best player
of the competition.”
Argentina legend Diego Maradona called the
decision “unfair.”
The 53-year-old, who was named the best player
when Argentina won the World Cup in 1986, said
“marketing people” had chosen the wrong man.
Speaking on his television programme, De Zurda,
Maradona said Colombia playmaker James
Rodriguez should have received the award.
The Golden Ball and other individual prizes, such
as the Golden Glove award for the best
goalkeeper, are decided by world governing body
Fifa’s Technical Study Group, a panel including
former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
Blatter believes Messi was given the award on
the strength of his four goals during the group
stage.
“If you compare the beginning of the tournament
and why the Argentina team got into the final,
they were decisive,” he said.
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