His look of indifference said it all. Lionel Messi wanted no part of FIFA's Golden Ball award.

Yet there he stood, accepting the coveted title while Germany celebrated a World Cup final victory steps away. Despite being Argentina's sole source of offense, Messi was an odd and possibly undeserved choice.

Colombia's James Rodriguez won the ADIDAS Golden Boot but wasn't considered for the Golden Ball. Thomas Mueller, who stood yards from Messi, would have been a more appropriate candidate scoring five times during the tournament.

Messi netted four goals in group play and set up the game-winner in a Round of 16 match with Switzerland, but created too much attention for scoring chances against Belgium, Holland, and versus the Germans yesterday.

A free kick late in extra-time in Sunday's finale gave Messi one last chance to redeem himself. The shot sailed high over the crossbar and into the stands, all but ending Argentina's run.

https://mashable.com/2014/07/13/lionel-messi-looked-so-sad-accepting-the-world-cups-golden-ball-award/

The striker answered question after question following the loss, each time emphasizing his indifference for the individual award. He wanted a world championship. Now, Messi faces years of criticism over how he couldn't win the big one.

"We were able to fight for a final were very close to being the ones lifting the cup. But we can't think about the future now," Messi said in an interview with ESPN.

https://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=11212335

Messi had a total of one goal at the 2006 and 2010 Worlds Cups, respectively. He stepped it up this time around without set-up man Angel di Maria's through a majority of the tournament. He would never use di Maria's injury, or lack of support from his midfielders, as an excuse.

His message was clear in speaking with BAHerald staff writer Daniel Edwards.

https://twitter.com/DanEdwardsGoal/statuses/488466813463048192

All Messi can do is begrudgingly take an award he would rather not have and wait for another turn four years from now.