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Messi says didn't want Maradona to leave

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-05 16:19

BEIJING - Argentina striker Lionel Messi says he didn't want Diego Maradona to leave as coach of the national team and had thought the football great would be kept on.

In his first public comments since last week's announcement that Maradona's contract would not be renewed, Messi expressed support for his former coach but also looked to the future.

Messi was speaking in Beijing on Thursday, where his Spanish club Barcelona was due to play a friendly Sunday.

He said he always thought Maradona would be able to stay, adding Argentina is now four years from the next World Cup "and we need to do a good job of preparing.