BUENOS AIRES: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona said compatriot Lionel Messi did not deserve to be named best player of the World Cup, arguing it should have gone to Colombia’s James Rodriguez.
“I’d give Lio the sky, but when it’s not deserved and it’s just marketers who want to make him win something he didn’t win, it’s unfair,” Maradona said on Monday after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Germany 1-0.
“Rodriguez was the best player of the World Cup,” said Maradona on his TV programme “De Zurda,” which is broadcast by Venezuelan network Telesur and retransmitted in several Latin American countries.
The 23-year-old Rodriguez was the revelation of the World Cup and the top scorer with six goals.
A dejected Messi picked up Fifa’s Golden Ball for outstanding player of the tournament moments after Germany forward Mario Götze’s extra-time winner condemned Argentina to defeat in the World Cup final.
Messi had scored four goals in the group stages but failed to maintain his level of performance in the knock-out rounds, particularly against Germany and against the Netherlands in the semi-final, which Argentina won on penalties.
Barcelona star Messi is a prominent ambassador for sportswear manufacturer Adidas, also an official Fifa partner. (Agencies)
