Diego Maradona reveals he saw Lionel Messi cry in the shower after Argentina were thumped 4-0 by Germany
DIEGO MARADONA has revealed he saw Lionel Messi "crying in the shower" when Germany shattered the Argentine pair's World Cup dreams in 2010.
And referring to netting with his infamous "hand of God" against England in 1986, Maradona described himself as "a regular guy who scored a goal against the English who were killing our kids in the Falklands War".
Maradona also insisted he and his "idol" Messi were BOTH INFERIOR to the player he rates as the real G.O.A.T. - compatriot Alfredo Di Stefano.
Barcelona and Napoli legend Maradona, 59, has done a U-turn to stay in charge of Argentine top-flight side Gimnasia de La Plata
And the 59-year-old told his nation's sports channel TyC Sports the agony he shared with Messi nine years ago in South Africa.
'I'D NEVER FACE UP AGAINST MESSI'
Maradona was desperate to follow up his 1986 World Cup triumph as a player by leading Argentina to glory as manager, but Germany thumped them 4-0 in the quarter-finals.
Miroslav Klose's double in his 100th international led Joachim Low's men to a second-half romp, inspired by playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger.
And Maradona said of Barcelona hero Messi: "I am his friend. I saw him crying in the shower when we lost 4-0 to Germany while many players were already looking for flights back home."
Maradona also admitted even he, as manager, walked on eggshells around Messi in the dressing-room.
He added: “I would never face up against Messi. He is as much an idol to me as he is for Benja, 10."
Benja is Maradona's grandson and the son of Manchester City's Argentina striker Sergio Aguero.
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And discussing who was the finest footballer ever, Maradona said: “I think Di Stefano was superior to everyone, including me.
“Pele did not want to recognise Di Stefano. Pele's friends made up a trophy for him as a living legend in football. I beat Pele as the greatest in history in Rio.”
The late Di Stefano, a Buenos Aires-born second striker who played for Colombia, Argentina and Spain, is most famous for his hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in the 1960 European Cup final.