Ten outstanding players overlooked in surprise decision.
With the surprise decision to award the Golden Ball trophy to Argentina’s Lionel Messi after last night’s World Cup final, CaughtOffside looks at ten other stars of the competition more deserving of picking up the prize than the Barcelona man.
Although the 27-year-old, who finished on the losing side to Germany in this year’s final, is arguably the best player in the world at the moment and perhaps one of the best of all time, his subdued displays in this World Cup certainly make this award a questionable one, with Fifa seemingly looking at reputation over actual performances at the tournament.
With five players from champions Germany unsurprisingly making up half of this list, see below for more deserving winners of the 2014 Golden Ball award.
10) Robin van Persie (Netherlands)
Scorer of one of the goals of the tournament with his diving header against Spain, Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has been close to his best form at this World Cup. After a frustrating and injury-hit season with Manchester United, the 30-year-old was a key player for his country in Brazil, scoring four goals in total to help Louis van Gaal’s side finish in third place with a victory over the host nation in their playoff match. Although he couldn’t quite find the touch to help the Netherlands past Argentina in a tight semi-final encounter, van Persie was certainly a stand-out player at this tournament, and arguably did more than Messi when it mattered, and against better opposition.
9) Neymar (Brazil)
Before injury saw him ruled out of the semi-final, Barcelona starlet Neymar really lived up to the hype at this World Cup with some starring performances for Brazil. Still only 22 years old, the skillful forward is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world and a potential legend in the making. With so much expectation on his young shoulders as his country hosted the competition this year, Neymar showed he can handle the pressure, scoring four goals and looking like by far Brazil’s best player in this largely average side. His absence no doubt played a part in their disastrous end to the tournament, as they simply lacked any spark or imagination in their attack without him.
8) Mats Hummels (Germany)
Rated as one of the best defenders in Europe after his performances with Borussia Dortmund in recent years, Mats Hummels has now truly established himself on the international stage with some rock-solid displays for Germany as they lifted the World Cup this summer. The 25-year-old scored two goals en route to the final for Joachim Low’s side, and will surely go down as one of the players of the tournament, and one who kept Golden Ball winner Messi pretty quiet in Sunday’s final.
7) Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Quite simply, the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. Manuel Neuer deservedly won the Golden Glove for his performances at this World Cup, but should perhaps have taken away the Golden Ball as well for his starring displays in goal for the world champions. Although Neuer is not always the busiest goalkeeper due to playing for great sides such as Bayern Munich and Germany, the 28-year-old is always quick off his line and switched on to the danger to make the occasional important save or intervention. A player worthy of winning the World Cup, and one who should be recognised as one of the best at this year’s finals.
6) Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Another star player for the Netherlands, Arjen Robben enjoyed a terrific tournament this summer with some superb solo displays for the Oranje. The 30-year-old was in particularly dazzling form for his country as they thrashed holders Spain 5-1 in their opening match, and was a nominee for the Golden Ball despite missing out on the award to Messi. Despite only finishing third, there is a good case to make that Robben was truly one of the stand-out players at this World Cup and a worthy winner.
5) Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Germany’s inspirational captain Philipp Lahm won’t be too concerned about individual awards after lifting the World Cup as skipper for his country after another fine tournament from him. The long-serving full-back has been a terrific servant for the national side, making over 100 appearances now and finally getting his hands on some silverware at international level after winning all there is to win for his club Bayern Munich. Occasionally played in a defensive midfield role these days, Lahm is simply an outstanding performer and top professional wherever he plays, and undoubtedly one of the best players at this year’s World Cup.
4) Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
A true inspiration for Argentina in the final rounds of this World Cup as his battling displays really gave Alejandro Sabella’s side hope in some otherwise unspectacular displays. Javier Mascherano was certainly a more important player than Lionel Messi in his country’s run to the final, showing leadership and commitment at crucial moments, none more so than his last-ditch tackle on Arjen Robben in the closing stages of the semi-final. A player who has won numerous honours in the game already, but one who deserved to take away something else for his achievements in Brazil.
3) Toni Kroos (Germany)
An outstanding midfield playmaker who has largely made the headlines due to transfer rumours in recent months, Germany’s Toni Kroos is now a World Cup winner and instrumental player for his national side. The Bayern Munich star looks likely to be making the move to Real Madrid after this tournament, but for now deserves all the plaudits for his superb displays in Brazil. The 24-year-old’s passing and vision have been key to how Joachim Low’s side play, and he scored two fine goals in Germany’s amazing 7-1 demolition of Brazil in the semis. A player for the big occasion, Kroos certainly seems a more outstanding candidate for the Golden Ball than Messi.
2) Thomas Mueller (Germany)
Second in the World Cup scoring charts with five goals, Germany have Thomas Mueller to thank for much of their success in this year’s competition, with the Bayern Munich man again showing that he relishes the big games and big tournaments by taking his total tally at World Cups to ten now at only the age of 24. A consistent and reliable goalscorer, Mueller definitely outshone Messi at these finals and being overlooked for the Golden Ball award will come as quite a surprise here.
1) James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Every World Cup seems to have its unexpected star, its new hero, and for 2014 that award would certainly have to go to Colombia’s James Rodriguez. The AS Monaco winger may have already been a hit in Ligue 1, but he took his game to another level in Brazil and did superbly to finish as the top scorer of the tournament with six goals, despite his country only going as far as the quarter-finals. The 22-year-old will now be the subject of much transfer speculation as Real Madrid are reportedly ready to pay big money for him, but Rodriguez also deserves immense recognition for his displays at the World Cup, and certainly seems a strong contender to pick up the Golden Ball ahead of Messi.
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