Maradona: Argentina expected Messi to solve everything Argentina Star criticises the loneliness of Lionel again

Lionel Messi was again excluded from Diego Maradona's criticism of the Argentine national team, suggesting it was the No.10's teammates that were to blame for La Albiceleste's poor showing in Russia.

Never one to sit on the fence, Maradona was typically scathing.

"They wanted Messi to solve everything," he said on the 'Telesur' programme in Venezuela.

"Leo got involved in the game, passed the ball to Biglia or Enzo Perez but got a wheelbarrow of cobblestones in return."

The Argentinian Football Association (AFA) were not spared his ire either.

"The story is written by the quality of the leaders," he continued.

"Argentina are adrift.

"I met Davor Suker, who was my teammate at Sevilla, and he is in the Croatian Federation.

"He has an incredible relationship with the players who are prepared to leave everything on the pitch... and they are in the final. "

Coach Jorge Sampaoli is hanging on to the job by his fingernails but El Diego is no fan.

"The chess player," he called him, due to his continuous system changes.