World Cup Golden Ball last night, despite not scoring a goal in four knockout matches.
After Argentina were defeated 1-0 in extra-time by Germany, the forward was called up before the medal presentation to received the accolade.
Messi struck four goals in the group stage but found chances hard to come by in the latter stages of the tournament.
The 27-year-old becomes the third Argentine to win the Golden Ball after Mario Kempes in 1978 and Diego Maradona in 1986.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Manuel Neuer beat off competition from fellow finalist Sergio Romero, of Argentina, and Costa Rica shot-stopper Keylor Navas for the Golden Glove award as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
France midfielder Paul Pogba was crowned the best young player in Brazil ahead of countryman Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay of the Netherlands.
Messi and Thomas Muller’s failure to score at the Maracana meant Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez claimed the World Cup’s top scorer honours with six goals.
Despite his country going out at the quarter-final stage, the 23-year-old’s haul was never matched.
Among his half dozen goals was the magical chest and volley against Uruguay.
The Monaco star, who stepped in manfully to fill the void left by Colombia’s injured Radamel Falcao, also scored in the 2-1 quarter-final loss to Brazil.
James claimed a second against Uruguay in the last 16 game, and one in each of Colombia’s first round matches against Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan.
Germany’s world champion Muller ended up in second place with five goals.
