Did he? Great goal but I don't think he touched the ball otherwise. That is typical FIFA nonsense. They should try something radical like awarding the MOTM to the best player on the night.
He did? Wow, apart from the goal he did nothing at all, surely one of Mascherano, Schwiensteiger or Boateng deserved it more.
It was a poor free-kick. And of course ending 1-0 meant the tournament only ties for most goals in a World Cup with 1998 (171) I now rank Germany as better than Brazil in World Cups, by my ranking system that is. Brazil have won five World Cups, but Germany have reached eight finals to Brazil's seven and finished in the top three TWELVE times out of 18 finals reached which tops Brazil's 10 out of 20. That said there isn't much in it, and the next closest team (Italy) are substantially behind the pair.
Great tournament and the best team throughout were crowned the winners. Congratulations Germany. Like others I'm baffled as to how Messi was the best player at the tournament - are these things decided before the start or something?
Even Messi looked quite embarrassed to claim the award - he knows it was down to reputation and is therefore rendered meaningless.
He wasn't even Argentina's best player. For me, he wouldn't get in the top 10 players of the tournament.
He was key to Argentina getting to the final with some of his contributions at pivotal points of the games, but he was mostly very quiet throughout. Someone like Mueller, who scored more goals and actually played well during the games, would have been far more deserving of the award, in fact a fair few of the German players would have deserved it more than Messi.
The quality of the goal wining goal has been massively overrated already to be honest, but Germany are deserved winners and the final was decent for large parts. I still think that four years time will be the German team, so I was hoping for Messi to win it with Argentina this time around in what might very well be his last chance at his peak, but you just can't argue with the performances from Germany.
King_Kenny and other Messi fan boys about to start cutting themselves. Better than Pele? You're having a laugh
Agreed. In four years time, Neuer will be 32, Ozil will be 29, Muller and Kroos will be 28, Schurrle will be 27, and Gotze will be 26. If the team isn't already scarily good now imagine how good they'll be in four years when each of these are at their peak.... Without a doubt, they'll be the team to beat.
Not to mention the likes of Reus and the Bender twins and others who missed this tournament through injury.
Yes indeed. Germany were the best team throughout the tournament but in the final Argentina were the best team for a few periods, although they did fade away. All in all a deserved winner. I would have given the best player award to Manuel Neuer (James Rodriguez and Robben up there too), a keeper is as much a player as any other and Neuer is some keeper! That said Messi had a few moments too, even in the final (he twice left Hummels for dead and in the last one Argentina were close to scoring, you could see his great pace and skill, lethal when he is in good shape). I was glad Germany won, at last an European team wins in America, and of course, it had to be Germany. On to the Euros... Paulo
Their only concern might be their backs, Lahm will be 34 and they don't have a Leftback even though Höwedes did very well this World Cup
It's funny how everyone was looking at Argentina's attack before the tournament and gawping at their quality, but for pretty much the whole tournament they've been reliant on Messi dribbling past all three of his markers and putting it in the corner or setting up one of his unfit/out of form team-mates. Your point of view on his greatness will come from how much emphasis you put on these big games where he was a foot wide of scoring a one on one, but ultimately missed, versus years and years and years of scoring over a goal a game.
The Argentina attack is frightening on paper but only Messi turned up in any way, shape or form. The mentality just wasn't there from the likes of Higuain and you have to wonder if leaving Tevez out was such a good idea, especially considering Aguero just wasn't fit enough to contribute.
As finals go it wasn't a bad game, both teams looking to get forward but both defences well organised. Rewind 14 years to the German shambles of Euro 2000 when even we beat them and whatever they did after that worked and looks set to continue. Unlike our FA they find their own ways of playing that suit them and their mentality as a nation, rather than running around trying to copy everyone else. They may not go on dominate to the degree that Spain have over the lat 8 years or so but they will be there or there abouts for a long while to come yet. They don't rely on one or 2 superstars, they have a strong team ethic and everyone from the regualr starters to the subs knows exactly what their role is.
