>Maybe so. It's usually the coach who gets it, and sure enough Maradona did. They were widely viewed as a tournament favorite and got massacred by Germany. In a soccer crazy country that does not go down well.

They were not favorites until the WC started, remember Argentina needed a win (or tie I believe) in the Centenario (very tough venue to win) in order to qualify, and it was a late goal that gave Argentina the victory, so even the most optimistic Argentinean had doubts about the team. About the match against Germany, I will keep my mouth (or fingers) shut in the subject.

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>Messi did not do Maradona any favors. What a spectacular flameout he was.. World's best player? He sure didn't show it.

I think Mess did play well, he was not able to score, but there were very nice tries that were very difficult, and goalkeepers seemed to make the saves of their lives against him. Against Germany, I blame Maradona, who made him play way behind his best position without a play-maker in the midfield, then Messi needed to run with the ball way too much to be effective and that is why he likes the new interim coach, because he plays him in a very similar fashion as how he plays in Barcelona.