Lionel Messi was the saddest man to receive a trophy at the World Cup
This video is a picture of disappointment.
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball for being the most outstanding player at the 2014 World Cup, but getting a flashy new trophy meant nothing to him following Argentina’s loss in the final.
It’s hard to find a sadder person in the world right now. He played his heart out, was the driving force behind Argentina’s run and in the end it just wasn’t enough. Messi had one final chance to prove to be the hero and he got to watch his World Cup dreams fly away, over the crossbar and out of reach.
More on Germany's win
The whole trophy celebration felt a touch cruel while he tried to recover from the loss, but the ceremony couldn’t be held for emotions.
Hopefully the disappointment of his team’s loss to Germany will melt away in time and Messi can appreciate just how fantastic he was over the last month. It was a pleasure to watch.
Update: Messi described his disappointment and it’s expected given his reaction.
Messi on Golden Ball: "I just wanted to win the World Cup. This award means nothing to me now"
— Daniel Edwards (@DanEdwardsGoal) July 13, 2014 See More:
