2014 World Cup prize winners revealed
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 13, 2014
- 3 min read
Glum-faced: A disappointed Messi trudged down the stairs at the Maracana after collecting the Golden Ball prize (Picture from Adam Higgins)
LIONEL Messi, Manuel Neuer, James Rodriguez and Paul Pogba have scooped the individual awards at the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Messi, who scored four goals and claimed an assist during the tournament, wins the Golden Ball despite delivering a subdued performance and ending up on the losing side in the final.
Neuer - part of Germany's winning team - receives the Golden Glove prize for the best goalkeeper.
The impressive Rodriguez, a quarter-finalist with Colombia, netted six times and set up two goals to take the Golden Boot.
Pogba has been named the Young Player of the tournament following a series of mature displays in the French midfield.
Four-time World Player of the Year Messi picked up four man of the match awards as the Barcelona forward inspired Argentina's march to the Maracana but the skipper failed to get his hands on the biggest prize of all.
Despite widespread social media claims he did not deserve the accolade, Fifa justified the decision, describing him as a "true captain and true matchwinner" and "so influential in his team's path to the final".
A statement on their website added: "With some questioning just how influential he would be in Brazil after a demanding season for Barcelona and concerns over a troublesome hamstring, he silenced the doubters by simply being his usual inspirational self."
Influential: Messi was man of the match in four of Argentina's first five matches at the tournament (Picture from Adam Higgins)
Messi topped a 10-man shortlist - which included seven players who were competing in the final - with Germany's Thomas Mueller winning the Silver Ball and the Bronze Ball going to Holland forward Arjen Robben.
Bayern Munich's Neuer, who kept four clean sheets and conceded just four times in seven games during the tournament, was rewarded for a string of eye-catching displays as he enhanced his reputation as being the best stopper in world football.
He also expressed his ability to be a first-class sweeper by swiftly anticipating danger, racing off his goalline and sometimes out of the area to clear the ball to safety.
Despite seeing his side exit in the quarter-finals at the hands of hosts Brazil, the six-goal haul of Monaco playmaker Rodriguez could not be matched or surpassed.
2010 Golden Boot winner Mueller ended with five while Messi, injured Brazil star Neymar and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie were joint-third in the standings with four goals apiece.
Juventus midfielder Pogba featured in all five of France's games, creating a goal for Karim Benzema against Switzerland and scored in his man of the match performance against Nigeria in the round of 16.
The 22-year-old, who won the Golden Ball at the 2013 Under-20 World Cup finals, beat off competition from Dutchman Memphis Depay and French compatriot Raphael Varane to win the prize eligible for players born after 1 January 1993.
Meanwhile, Colombia were given the Fair Play award after collecting just five yellow cards in their five games and received a high score in Fifa's Technical Study Group's criteria - which included respect towards match officials and the behaviour of players and coaches.
Last updated: 13 July 2014 23:35pm
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