Messi squanders chance to join the greats

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi looks on after his team's defeat in the final football match between Germany and Argentina for the FIFA World Cup at The Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after Germany won their 2014 World Cup final at the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (R) and Argentina's coach Alejandro Sabella (C) react after losing the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina 1-0 following extra-time at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi reacts after his team lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi (R) hugs Argentina's midfielder Angel Di Maria (L) after his team lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's Lionel Messi gets his runners-up medal from FIFA President Sepp Blatter after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's Martin Demichelis, Lionel Messi and Pablo Zabaleta, from left, walk over the pitch after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's Lionel Messi walks over the pitch after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, left, consoles Argentina's Lionel Messi after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014.

Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi reacts after losing the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina 1-0 following extra-time at the Maracana Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 13, 2014.