Messi: Nothing can console me

Lionel Messi may not have shed tears but he was clearly inconsolable. Not even picking up the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player altered the Argentinian captain’s gloomy expression after his side’s 1-0 extra-time defeat by Germany in the final of the just ended 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

Before going up to collect his award, Messi sportingly accepted the commiserations of his opponents, including Bastian Schweinsteiger, who gave him a warm embrace at pitchside. He also took time to congratulate Manuel Neuer who had followed him up to receive the adidas Golden Glove, and posed for the obligatory photos. Messi then rejoined his teammates as they filed past the victorious Germans, before climbing the steps once more to pick up their runners-up medals. 

And still, he kept his anguish and disappointment in check. Afterwards, following almost an hour in the dressing room, he made time to stop off for a photo with his side’s conqueror Mario Goetze before making his way to the mixed zone to face the world’s media. 

“Right now, nothing can console me – not the award or anything else,” said Messi. 

“Our only goal was to take home the World Cup and enjoy our victory with everyone in Argentina. We deserved a bit more after the game we played, and it was very painful to lose that way,” added the Albiceleste N10, understandably anxious to conclude his round of interviews.