World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi 'upset', 'angry' and the Golden Ball means 'nothing'

Argentina captain talks to the media following final defeat to Germany and says his side 'deserved more'

Manuel Neuer of Germany holds the Golden Glove trophy as Lionel Messi of Argentina holds the Golden Ball trophy (GETTY IMAGES)

Lionel Messi has laid bare his feelings after Argentina came so close to winning the World Cup before being devastated by Mario Gotze's late strike.

For many, Argentina winning at the Maracana seemed like Messi's destiny, the moment that would eradicate any lingering doubts that he deserved a place among the very best to have ever played the game.

But it did not turn out like that.

Messi did however receive the Golden Ball award that recognises the best player of the tournament. Yet even that has been tarnished, particularly after many questioned the award going to the Barcelona player, with Diego Maradona suggesting it was for marketing reasons and Fifa president Sepp Blatter admitting he was 'surprised' at the choice.

“I’m very hurt at not being able to bring the Cup to Argentina,” Messi is quoted as saying. “I am very angry at the way we lost, so close to the penalties, especially as we had the best chances. I do not care about the Golden Ball. I am just upset by the wasted chances.

“We had the best chances, with [Gonzalo] Higuain, mine and [Rodrigo] Palacios. We knew we could not dominate the game but we knew what we wanted to do."

He continued: “Right now I do not care nothing, not about my prize, nothing. I just wanted to lift the cup and bring it to Argentina. The pain is very great.

“I have been through many sad days with this team. This was our chance to change all that. We deserved more. They had more of the ball but the best chances were ours.”

While Argentina come to terms with missing out on the World Cup, Germany have returned home to a heroes welcome.