The 27-year-old's performances in Brazil continue to be the subject of much debate, withFifa president Sepp Blatter stating on Tuesday that the forward did not deserve to win the Golden Ball at Brazil 2014.
However, Sabella has now claimed that Messi, who failed to find the net again after scoring four goals in three games, played a key role in Argentina's run to the final by agreeing to play in a deeper position for the sake of his team-mates.
"Messi is an example for the national team," the 59-year-old toldRadio La Red. "He put himself at the disposal of the tame and played in solidarity with his team-mates.
"I commend Messi for the World Cup he had. He put the group first, before the individual, and he personally sacrificed himself for the benefit of the team."
Sabella also argued that Argentina could just as easily have won the tournament had they not squandered a couple of gilt-edged scoring opportunities before Mario Gotze decide the final in Germany's favour with his extra-time strike.
"We had to deal with a great physical and mental strain and yet, all we lacked was effectiveness [in front of goal]," the Buenos Aires native lamented.
"But that's football. It was an even game and if we'd been more clinical, we would have been champions."
Sabella stepped down shortly after the tournament decider in Rio and has since been succeeded at the helm of the Albiceleste by former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino.
Source: goal
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