At the end of a very exciting and eventful tournament. A deserved winner emerged and that was Germany. Even as the 113 minutes goal from a 22 year old lad, Gotze, made that possible. Lionel Messi, just as he narrowedly lost the Ballon d'Or to Christiano Ronaldo, also did lose out to the German machines but he was found worthy of being crowned Golden Ball winner. Taking into account contributions of excellent performance from Schweinstiger, Neuer, Robben, Di Maria, and even Mascherano, I ask; did Messi deserve to win the golden ball