Buenos Aires, July 17: Though they lost the FIFA World Cup 2014 final in Brazil, the Argentine players have proved that they are really winners. The team reportedly donated nearly $135,000 of their runner-up prize money to a Buenos Aires hospital.

The Lionel Messi-led team, which lost 0-1 to Germany in the title clash at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, received $25 million as the prize money and donated $135,000 dollars to a hospital, according to reports.

The players decided to give a portion of that money to Hospital Garrahan's paediatric cancer centre.

Reportedly, it was midfielder Javier Mascherano who came up with the idea. Messi had initially thought of doing the donation through his foundation.

Messi won the Golden Ball award but the honour did not carry any prize money with it.

James Rodriguez of Colombia was awarded the Golden Boot for this six goals and this too had no cash prize.

Germany won the World Cup for the first time since 1990. In that final too, the Germans had beaten Argentina 1-0.

Oneindia News