Lionel Messi's incredible World Cup highlights show he really deserved to win it in 2014

Lionel Messi's individual highlights from the 2014 World Cup show just how unlucky he was to miss out on the trophy.

Argentina reached the final in Rio de Janeiro but fell to a 1-0 defeat against Germany in extra time.

A key player in their march to the final was Messi, with the Barcelona superstar netting four goals in the group stage.

He played a vital role in the round of 16 clash with Switzerland and was awarded the Golden Ball at the end of the tournament.

At that time, Messi had not won a major honour with his nation and it's often used against him in the never-ending GOAT debate.

Many believed he didn't deserve the Golden Ball out in Brazil, with a slew of German players and Colombia's James Rodriguez among those missing out.

Then FIFA president Sepp Blatter admitted in October 2014: "I think the decision was incorrect. I was surprised when I received the committee's decision.

"They told me they had only looked at 10 of the players who took part in the final."

Despite the controversy, fans believe the highlights speak for themselves and Messi was incredibly unlucky to fall at the final hurdle.

One person said: "Honestly, Messi deserved a World Cup. He's always going to be my GOAT."

Another added: "Argentina squad has let down Messi on countless occasions...."

While a third stated: "In my heart, Messi won this World Cup."

Messi spoke to Mundo Albiceleste in 2018 and said he thinks about the loss to Germany every day.

He begun: "I was checking out Instagram and drinking some mate and I saw one of the plays (of the 2014 final) and I said, 'I didn't remember that play we had'.

"I have seen very little of that match afterwards. That chance I missed in the (World Cup final) I still think about the way I hit that ball, the way I planted my foot, how poorly I hit it.

"I think that if I would have hit it differently like I did vs Chelsea, it was a very similar play. I wanted it to at least be on target.

Alamy

"There is always a moment every day where I remember (the World Cup final). I mean, imagine if we were World Cup champions? Everything would have change for all of us. We deserved it, but it didn't work out. That's what gets you most upset.

"That World Cup photo where I pass the cup is a hard one to look at. I mean we were that close to winning it, to lifting it. But I passed by it and it was a terrible feeling."