Diego Maradona and his Argentinian World Cup squad declined an invitation by the country’s president Cristina Kirchner to be received at the presidential palace becaused they deemed themselves unworthy, the president revealed.

One of Diego Maradona’s assistants wants him to stay, and a top Argentine football official said the job is his despite the team’s devastating 4-0 loss against Germany in the quarterfinals.

Diego Maradona and his Argentina team received a warm welcome from thousands of fans who turned out to greet them on Sunday despite the side’s World Cup quarterfinals elimination.

Argentinian football authorities deny any ties, but the presence in South Africa of known hooligans of the country’s clubs has led to questions on who is financing their trips.

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi handed coach Diego Maradona a World Cup scare on Friday when he injured his right knee in a training match.

Argentina’s reigning world footballer of the year Lionel Messi insisted on Tuesday he did not crack under the weight of expectation when he played for the national side and he would show that at the upcoming World Cup finals.

Inter Milan pair Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso will not feature at the 2010 World Cup after they were left out of coach Diego Maradona’s provisional 30-man squad on Wednesday.