FIFA World Cup 2014 Stats and awards: Lionel Messi, named World Cup's 'best player

Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Golden Glove: Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Golden Boot: James Rodriguez (Colombia)
Young Player Award: Paul Pogba (France)
FIFA Fair Play Award: Colombia

Lionel Messi, named World Cup's 'best player,' still falls short of Diego Maradona

Messi had a very good World Cup, though arguably not a great one. He scored four goals, a couple of them beauties, all of them in the group stage. He managed a lovely assist to Angel di Maria against Switzerland for the match winner. He will be 31 when the next World Cup rolls around, however, when it may be too late to become Maradona anymore.

Victor R. Caivano/AP Lionel Messi can't bring the World Cup back home to Argentina after losing Sunday's final.

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