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#2 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (2014)
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A lot of criticism has been directed towards Lionel Messi’s form for his national team. In his role as captain he has led La Albiceleste to both the World Cup 2014 final as well as the Copa America 2015 final but unfortunately for the Barcelona man, on both occasions Argentina missed out on the big prizes by a hair’s breadth.
It was not for lack of trying from Messi though, the forward even won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball in 2014. The award is given to the best player from that edition of the World Cup. It is an honour he shares with another Argentine hero Diego Maradona. Other recipients include the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Ronaldo and Pele. It’s not an award to be taken lightly, neither is the significance of it dulled by his team’s loss in the final, nonetheless, it will be a trophy he craves.
His national team coach Gerardo Martino and team-mate Carlos Tevez on two separate occasions have come to Messi’s defence, openly stating that if they had been criticised the same way Messi has been for his national team performances they would have quit. It is a testament to their faith in the Argentine captain.
