Maradona: Awful to see Messi cry!

Diego Maradona had kind words for Lionel Messi after it was revealed the striker broke down in the dressing room.

Messi's Argentina went out of the World Cup following a 4-0 thrashing by Germany.

When asked about Messi's goalless tournament, Maradona said: "Messi never scored? When he tried they saved it. He played a great World Cup anyway. Seeing Messi cry in the dressing room is awful," he said.

"Those who say he doesn't play for the shirt are stupid."

Commenting on his future, The One said: "I may leave tomorrow" before stating that "whoever comes after me" will continue to implement an attacking style for the national side.

When asked to clarify his comments, he said: "Right now I'm out of energy. Look, I could go tomorrow, but the important thing is that we show the world how we play without fear or concern," he said.

"We must think long and hard about what we're going to do. I don't know what I'm going to do: I haven't thought about it.

"We must speak with the family and with the players. I know that football is about pleasing the fans, searching for victories, the style of play. Argentina has no other style."

Maradona gave credit to the Germans for the win, but declared his side had let the Germans walk all over them.

"It was a good game by Germany who studied it well. Everything changed after the first goal and it was a different game after that, we made it easy for them.

"They started having ideas that they didn't have before, we let them play and they took advantage. But the result doesn't reflect what happened on the pitch, and so it doesn't take away my pride.

"I want to thank all my team and players who scored and the other coaches and all the people that were by our side. The dream didn't come true, but we enjoyed a journey the goes back to their roots of Argentinian football.

"I want these players to continue showing what they value and to show what Argentinian football is about. I am proud of my players and I want to thank them. We didn't not get what we hoped for, but whatever happens we have to continue like this on this journey."