Advertisement
Advertisement
Fifa World Cup 2014
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
Lionel Messi was mostly crowded out by Germany's defence. Photo: AP

World Cup Final: Lionel Messi still an all-time great, insists Argentina coach

Star deserved golden ball despite not delivering World Cup says Alejandro Sabella

Lionel Messi’s failure to win the World Cup with Argentina on Sunday does not affect his status as an all-time great, according to coach Alejandro Sabella.

Messi was bidding to emulate his compatriot Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to victory in the final in Rio de Janeiro, but instead the four-time world footballer of the year finished on the losing side as Germany prevailed 1-0.

The 27-year-old Barcelona superstar squandered a glorious chance early in the second half when he shot wide with only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat, but Sabella said that his captain had nothing to prove.

“It is a very demanding tournament and it is drains everyone physically. He is already among the greatest of all time,” Sabella said.

Despite Argentina’s defeat, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player, and Sabella felt he was a worthy recipient.

Five key moments that sent the trophy to Germany

“I think yes he deserved it, because he played a great World Cup,” said the Argentina coach

Sabella was left ruing his side’s failure to take their chances. As well as Messi's chance, Gonzalo Higuain missed a glorious first-half chance to put Argentina 1-0 ahead.

“It was a very balanced game,” Sabella said. “They had more possession, but we had more cutting edge, more chances.

“When there are chances in a game that is so evenly balanced, you have to take them. We lacked a bit of efficiency.”

Sabella, meanwhile, praised his players for recovering from a gruelling semi-final against the Netherlands to take Germany all the way to the wire.

How baby-faced assassin Mario Goetze rose to the top

“We played a day later and extra time, and the only thing I can do is congratulate my players,” he said.

“The work they did was extraordinary and we also congratulate Germany.”

Argentina were bidding to claim a first title since 1986, but although they fell short, Sabella said they had done everything in their power to win.

“It is very bitter,” he said. “We had a great team to get to the final and obviously we wanted to win. To be perfect, we needed to be more efficient.

“I am sad for the players, for the normal pain of losing, but also satisfied, because we have an extraordinary group that gave everything.

“They were warriors, at least in the football sense. I congratulate them, obviously, because there is nothing else to do.

“A coach always has to judge the performance, which I think was very good, and above all the effort. They gave every last bead of sweat for Argentina.”

Sabella added: “Bearing in mind the opponent and the circumstance of playing a day later, it was our best game.

“After 24 years, the players made history. They didn’t win the gold, but they won the silver. We go away with a bittersweet taste.

“It is a double sensation. One of sadness, because when you get to a final, you want to win, but also of satisfaction, because the players gave everything. You can’t criticise them for anything.”

Post