Tuesday, 15th July, 2014
Argentina legend Diego Maradona believes that compatriot Lionel Messi did not deserve the Golden Ball award at the World Cup in Brazil.
Though Messi's team lost the final against Germany, the skipper was recognised as the tournament's best player.
The 1986 World Cup winner disagrees with FIFA's decision and adds that it was for marketing reasons that international football's governing body selected Messi over others.
"I would give heaven and earth to Leo", the 53-year-old was quoted as saying by the BBC.
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"But when marketing people want him to win something he didn't [deserve to] win, it is unfair."
Messi added to the scoresheet four times during the group stage but failed to add to the tally during the knockout stages.
Taking a cue from the Barcelona player's facial expressions while going up to receive the award, Maradona added: "I could see that he didn't want to go up and collect it [the award]."
Maradona however was proud of his country's performance at the Maracana Stadium and feels that they were undoubtedly able to raise their flag up high by virtue of their performance.
"We raised our flag high, there's no doubt about that", the former Boca Juniors player added.
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