Buenos Aires: Former Argentina great Mario Kempes has joined the growing criticism of the decision to award Lionel Messi the Golden Ball at the World Cup, declaring that the four-time Ballon d'Or winner was "not up to standard" in Brazil.


Mario Kempes 

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted he was surprised that Messi was named player of the tournament despite failing to score in the knockout rounds, while ex-Argentina star Diego Maradona claimed Messi had been given the award for "marketing reasons".