Messi's magic deserts him on game's biggest stage

Argentina captain Lionel Messi exited Sunday's World Cup final with a golden trophy in his hands, but it was not the one he wanted.

Moments after the final whistle at Maracana Stadium and with Germany's jubilant players still cavorting on the pitch, Messi was called up to receive the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.

He flashed a perfunctory smile, but it was with the knowledge that Argentina's loss prevented him from cementing his place in the pantheon of the sport's true greats.