There was plenty of surprise when Argentina’s Lionel Messi was awarded the Golden Ball award on Sunday following the conclusion of the World Cup final and a Albicelestes legend has come out and stated Messi didn’t deserve the accolade.
Mario Kempes, who fired Argentina to World Cup success in 1978, believes the Barcelona legend wasn’t the best player in the tournament.
Speaking to Radio America, Kempes explained his disappointment with Messi’s performance.
Football Espana quoted Kempes, he said: “I think that Messi wasn’t up to standard during the World Cup.
“He may have scored four goals in the first few games but I don’t believe he showed he was the best player in the world by the end of the tournament.”
Kempes went on to say Messi needed to be more involved for Argentina and was shocked that they struggled offensively throughout the whole competition.
He added: “Argentina needed Messi like a fish needs water but he needed to be more involved. We lacked his footballing brain.
“Our main concern, which was the defence, ended up being the attack. The world seems upside down.”
