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Lionel Messi Kept Saying 'The Best But Not The Champion' After World Cup Final Loss

Lionel Messi Kept Saying 'The Best But Not The Champion' After World Cup Final Loss

Messi won player of the tournament but still didn’t seem satisfied after Argentina’s loss…

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Following winning the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup, it has been reported that Lionel Messi repeatedly said 'The best but not the champion' after Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Germany.

That's according to former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who presented the Argentine his award back in 2014.

Messi was named Man of the Match in the first four games but saw his side beaten in the final courtesy of Mario Gotze's extra time winner at the Maracana.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The five-time Ballon d'Or picked up the Player of the Tournament but was absolutely gutted about the defeat and his words of frustration were heard by Blatter when he collected his individual prize.

"Messi was talking to himself," Blatter told Argentine publication La Nacion, as per Goal.

"He said to himself over and over again: 'The best but not the champion.'"

Messi has 65 international goals to his name but discounting the U20 World Cup and Olympics as well as the coveted San Juan Cup recently, he hasn't won an international trophy in his career at senior level.

The Barcelona star has lost finals on four occasions: the 2014 World Cup and the 2007, 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments and his teammate Sergio Aguero is desperate to win some silverware for him this year.

"I'm more anxious to be a champion for Messi than for me," Aguero told Fox Sports Argentina.

"Hopefully one day it happens. It's his dream and everyone's dream. I put myself in his place and I want to try to do my best for him to lift the Copa America.

"It's been a long time that he comes here and he suffers. I also suffer. We know what he can bring and the rest have to be mentally prepared not to fail."

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, world cup final, Sergio Aguero, Football, Messi, Lionel Messi, International Football, Germany, Argentina, World Cup, 2014 World Cup