Maradona - stunned by early exit (Allsport)

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Diego Maradona is still in shock over Argentina's stunning early exit from the World Cup.

"What distress, I cannot believe that my national team is out," the former international great told the Spanish newspaper Marca from Cuban capital on Thursday.

El Pelusa, as Maradona is known in Latin America, believes things might have been different if only he had been able to travel to Japan to cheer on his countrymen.

"Maybe if I had gone to Japan, if I had been with the boys, perhaps it would have been different," he said.

Maradona, a flawed genius adored and despised almost in equal measure, was initially refused a visa to enter Japan because of a drug conviction.

The Japanese government eventually relented last week and belatedly granted him a visa, but with the Argentinian team already on their way home he's unlikely to need it.

Marcelo Bielsa's outfit, one of the favourites to take the world crown, failed to survive the so-called Group of Death.

After beating Nigeria first up, they lost to England and were then held to a draw by Sweden.

"I am sad for the 36 million Argentinians that are going through difficult moments now," said Maradona.

"As I have said before, football is not going to feed those that are hungry, but it can bring a smile.

"The hope is broken and the dream destroyed.

"There were several players who were not at their best and there were technical decisions that I respect but I do not agree with."

The genius behind Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph, Maradona said his thoughts now were with the players due to arrive home in Buenos Aires on Saturday,

"Poor guys, they must feel like the worst in the world but it is not like that, I have already told them," he added.