Maradona: hardest day of my life

(GSM) – Argentina manager Diego Maradona said this day, which saw Argentina get thrashed 4-0 by a solid Germany side, was the hardest day of his life. Maradona, who will turn 50 on October 30, was left in miserable mood following the defeat.

“Today, close to the 50 years old I will be on October 30, this is the hardest thing I’ve experienced,” Maradona said.

“This was (like) a punch from Muhammad Ali. I have no strength for anything.

“The day I quit playing football could (have been) similar but this is much harder,” Maradona said.

Maradona did not give a final answer on whether he will be staying on as Argentina boss or heading out, with his position under serious pressure following the humiliating exit.

“I’ll have to think carefully about (the future)… I must speak to my family, the players, there’s a lot (to discuss)

“This wasn’t the expected finale (for us), but whoever comes in must carry on this path which is the one Argentines like.

“I thanked (the players and coaching staff) for the job they did, that’s all. I didn’t speak about the future,” Maradona said

Maradona believes that the brand of football he played as a footballer and a coach is the real Argentine football method. He admitted that Germany were a solid team, but felt that the scoreline did not reflect what happened over 90 minutes.

“I could go tomorrow, but I want these kids to go on showing the real Argentine football,” he said.

“I have realised as coach and player that the football the (Argentine) people like is this, searching permanently (for goals), playing, rotating. I don’t think Argentina have another style.

“With the lead, Germany began to get ideas that they had not had previously in this World Cup,” Maradona said.

“This doesn’t knock my pride in my players because I know the result is not a reflection of what happened on the pitch. They put in their chances, we also had some.”

Maradona defended World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who failed to score in the World Cup, but produced good performances.

“(Messi) had a great World Cup … (he didn’t score) because the ball lifted or goalkeepers were their teams’ stars.

“To see Messi weeping in the changing room, anyone who says to me he has no feelings for the (Argentina) shirt is stupid.”