Argentina legend Diego Maradona has requested a meeting with Argentina’s players before their final World Cup group game on Tuesday.
After losing 3-0 to Croatia, the two-time winners need a win against the Super Eagle of Nigeria to have any chance of reaching the last 16.
The 1986 World Cup winner described himself as “furious and upset” and lashed out at the Argentina Football Association President Claudio Tapia as the “guilty party” after Croatia’s defeat.
“It cost us too much to be where we are for Croatia to hit us for three goals and to leave with our arms crossed without putting a foot in,” he said.
“I would love to hold a meeting with them, with (Nery) Pumpido, with (Sergio) Goycochea, with (Claudio) Caniggia, with (Pedro) Troglio, even with (Daniel) Passarella if he wants to come, and with (Jorge) Valdano
“It cost us too much to be where we are for Croatia to hit us for three goals and to leave with our arms crossed without putting a foot in.”We’re going to defend our honour,” he told Venezuelan TV channel Telesur.
“I’m furious and very upset inside, because anyone who has worn that shirt can’t see it being trampled like that by a Croatian team that isn’t Germany, that isn’t Brazil, that isn’t Holland or Spain.”
Maradona won the world cup in 1986 as the captain with Argentina. He also won the Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament.