Argentina great Diego Maradona, who earlier in the week was sympathetic about the Albiceleste Copa America final loss to Chile, on Wednesday changed tack and said that the 1986 World Cup-winning team were far superior.
The 1986 World Cup is highly regarded as the setting where Maradona sealed his legacy as an all-time great. Many have attributed Argentina's second World Cup title single-handedly to Maradona's performance.
"For us, we become an even greater team with each second that passes because we went out and played those two games at Azteca," Maradona told the 1986 team in a Whatsapp message. "We didn't go and play against Chile, we went out and beat Germany. You understand the difference between the two teams."
Following the loss to Chile, Barcelona star Lionel Messi announced his retirement from his national team, saying he could not continue after also being part of the squad that lost the 2014 World Cup final and two other Copa America finals.
Over the weekend, Maradona, 55, blamed Argentina's recent lack of trophies on trouble with the country's football association (AFA) and urged Messi to stay with the Albiceleste. Prior to the Copa America, Maradona had criticised Messi for not being a leader.
#Video #SportsCenter Diego Maradona: duras palabras tras la final de la Copa América Centenario. https://t.co/wJkqIDsd2Z
- SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) June 29, 2016
In a show of support, some members of Argentina's 1986 World Cup squad posed for a photograph that contained a written plea: "#NoTeVayasLio" ("Don't Go Lio.") Maradona did not pose for the photo.
#NoTeVayasLio: ¡Te lo piden los campeones del Mundial '86! pic.twitter.com/g3HkSWSSHo
- SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) June 28, 2016
In Wednesday's rambling message, Maradona told his '86 teammates: "We were never taken seriously. I had to coach the national team to be given the respect I deserved."
He closed his message with "This is Diego Maradona, your captain speaking."