Just seen that Messi has won the player of the tournament

I only watched 2 Argentina games live: the semi-final and the final. He was almost completely anonymous against Holland and although there were a few flashes of skill tonight there were long periods where he simply wasn't in the game. I don't think he touched the ball at all for a half hour period in the second half. Thought that free kick right at the death summed up his contribution - lots of anticipation but failed to deliver. He must have put in some performances during the group stages to win that award.

Do those who have watched the whole tournament agree with the award?

 

I think the only one to run him close would have been Robben.

 

I watched a lot of games and I was and still am amazed and a little angry that Messi won it ahead of the likes of Rodriguez and Muller. Even the German keeper would have been a more deserving winner.

 

Wouldn't have been my choice.

 

No, to me he aint been nowhere near full fitness and has ambled his way through most matches.

Rodrigues Yes, Muller never in a million years if we are wanting kids to emulate the best. Is pantomime antics take away from him being a worthy winner.

Some good consistent performances from one or two keepers anall.

 

Rodriguez, Schweinsteiger or Robben for me. And Kroos, Hummels, Neuer and Muller ahead of him too.

I'd put him on a par with Sanchez of Chile, Valencia of Ecuador and Pogba for the French.

I've purposely missed out Mascherano who I think was the best Argentine in the tournament. Therefore, I'm flummoxed at the award going to Messi. Must be a sponsorship/money thing. As is everything with FIFA.

 

Agree ,I saw most of the games and Mueller Rodriguez Robben Lahm and Mascherano were all better players, I think Messi might be carrying an injury

 

Only the 3rd best Argie for me. Both Mascherano & Garay out performed him.

 

James Rodriguez by an absolute mile. Nobody came close to him. To provide 6 goals (some of them top drawer), 2 assists, and stand up to the absolute onslaught of challenges bordering on assault by Brazil in the QFs was an amazing achievement for such a young player. He was easily the star man of the tournament.

Messi probably turned up for about 20 minutes of the tournament, often in 2 minute bursts.

 

no where near - dining out on his reputation. Far better players over the tourney.

 

Stunned that he got it. He's been bang average all tournament. I wouldn't have picked him for the best 11 tbh. Got to give him something though, bleurgh.

 

Injured pride?

 

James Rodriguez

 

Rodriquez by some distance. Messi is a great player but not in good form at this tournament. Rodriquez played the way players play in your dreams. Almost made me love football again.


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I've often said about Messi, that he's a world cup win away from being mentioned in the same sentence as Pele and Maradona. And whilst Argentina came close last night to winning a world cup, I would still have had to think about Messi's contribution towards that, as for a player of his ability, he just wasn't at his best.

I agree with the majority that James Rodriguez has been by far and away the best player at this world cup.

 

He wasn't even the best Argentinian player, that was Mascherano. A baffling decision.

 

Robben has played well and would have been a much more worthy winner. I'm shocked that you think Messi should have been in the running.

 

Bang on there mate.

 

That was the impression I got from the two Argentina games I watched. Macherano was superb, Messi anonymous. Schweinsteiger was superb for Germany too. Neither player was particularly dirty either, just committed and strong. Maybe FIFA don't like to acknowledge the contribution from this type of player, but for me they were playing the most important position for their teams and were the most influential in their success.

I hope Barnsley can find a player of this type. Obviously, they won't be of the same calibre, but they won't need to be, they'll be playing in League 1, not the World Cup. Win the ball and quickly release it to a more skilful team mate. Not sideways or backwards, but forwards to a man in space. It's hardly a radical concept, it's how football always used to be played in this country. It produced fast, end to end football, just like Germany play now. Every team in the country had a midfield player who could tackle and pass. The quality of these players varied considerably, but we all had one. That concept appears to have vanished completely. Midfield players can either tackle or pass, but rarely both. Ray McHale could do it and Gwyn Thomas and Darren Sheridan and even the likes of Jim Dobbin. Neil Redfearn could tackle, pass, run with the ball and shoot. Where are all the midfield players like that?

 

They'd be labelled "toiler" within 15 minutes on debut...self confidence destroyed by end of August.