I assume it was some kind of contractual obligation that made some money for FIFA.

At least half a dozen players had better tournaments

Totally agree, I think they made their mind up tonight as a consolation prize. There have been several better players in this World Cup

You know in the Brit Awards when they have best international male and only one nominee is actually there?

Absolutely ridiculous award.

Kroos was best outfield player for me. James Rodriguez best attacking player and Manuel Neuer best goalkeeper.

Messi had some great moments but wasn't as influential or involved in the games as I've seen him. I've seen him play games for Barcelona where he'd go on a dribble half the time he got the ball and would rip teams apart for an entire game. He played more in bits and pieces this time and looked a little short of his absolute prime fitness.

BBC pundits agree

too late

they only gave it to him because FIFA wanted a south american winning something
he only scored in the group stages, so where's his consistency eh?

Not "too late" to say it was a joke though.

Messi should have got the award for most underwhelming player.

Don't get me wrong he did good, but not GREAT.

Rodriguez should have won this award, or a Germany.

Messi wasn't even Argentina's best player. Mascherano was.

I agree. Mascherano from Argentina was a more realistic player to consider for player of the tournament.

There were a few who I'd consider real contenders. James Rodriguez being my personal favourite.

Messi wasn't bad, and showed flashes of inspiration here and there. He scored a decent amount of goals too. But for some matches he spent much of the time slowly walking around and not moving much.

Why didn't Neymar get player of the tournament? He scored the same amount of goals as Messi and we now know that he carried an absolutely joke Brazil side to the semi-finals. I don't see why Messi had a better tournament than Neymar? Both are joke choices though.

Rodriguez, Mascherano, Robben, Vlaar, Kroos, Muller, Neuer would all be much more sensible choices.

Agreed.

Rooneys cross was good

For that he deserves so much credit. He is my player of the World cup

It must have been a close run vote, with Leighton Baines having played in the tournament.

It was a further punishment for him, did you see his face, & he had to shake hands with the neckless dwarf as well. (Merkel)

David Luiz has actually been the man of this tournament for me. No one else left such a lasting impression.

No calls for Lahm as player of the tournament? Holding midfielder or Full-back, I don't think I saw a performance from him that was less than an 8/10. I have to admit, I adore the man, he's been the best full back in the world for the past four or five years, but not received the recognition he deserves because he actually plays as a full-back rather than a winger (such as Alves, Marcelo, Alba etc).

The likes of Lahm and Zabaleta are never considered for the Ballon d'Or because they play in pretty much the most unglamorous position on the pitch - but both of them for me would be ahead of Messi for the 'Player of the Tournament' title.

Lahm has always been Germany's best player. I have never seen him or Muller have a poor game. Kroos is another German who deserves a lot of credit for their victory.

Agree with you on this one.

I'm not usually one for conspiracies but you can't help but think that Nike and a few other Messi friendly sponsors like Qatar Airways pushed for this especially as he was in the final. Problem is that most of the other contenders would be unknown to the causal global viewer who was just tuning in for the final.

Messi was a last minute decision change. Originally, it was going to be Almahdi Ali Mukhtar from the Qatari squad.

Rodriguez couldn't even perform against the worst Brazilian side ever. Robben was the player of the tournament followed by about 3 Germans.