“I knew I didn’t play well for Argentina but I wasn’t the only one,” the 25-year-old told The Sun.

Lionel Messi admits he has not always performed to the best of his ability for Argentina.

He added: “The whole team was not performing. People and the media wanted me to go out and win games on my own but this has never happened.

“I cried many times. In the 2006 World Cup Argentina had played so well and lost to Germany on penalties. In 2010 obviously the same thing happened. Yes I cried, but the whole team cried.

“I’m my No.1 critic. Whether I play well or badly I am hot-headed. I get angry because I never want to lose.

“I knew I was not giving my best but I was the first to want to play well.”