Napoli great Diego Armando Maradona has hinted on Argentina's poor form, saying than Lionel Messi is "alone" and singlehandedly dragging the Albiceleste through this World Cup.
The 27-year-old Barcelona ace has been named man of the match in every of Argentina's four matches at the tournament so far. He netted four goals in their first three games and laid on the 118th minute winner for Angel Di Maria in Tuesday's 1-0 last-16 win over Switzerland.
And Maradona believes the team must raise their game if they must beat a highly spirited Belgium side in the quarter-final match, and progress to the semis.
"Messi is very lonely," the former national team head coach surmised.
"The Argentina midfield falter much and do not take initiative. If Messi does not take it forward we will fall in the next round as that will be to blame for Argentina's catastrophe.
"The team is playing at 40 per cent of its potential. There are players who have not yet started playing the World Cup.
"Belgium is another matter. If Argentina does not wake up, we're in trouble."
Maradona who won the 1986 tournament, believes his compatriots aren't playing like a team competing in football's biggest tournament.
"I don't think we've started yet," the visibly emotional 53-year-old told De Zurda.
"The team has no change of pace, no movement at the front. I have something inside of me that is very strong, it's like bitterness, rage, anger. Argentina will have to play much better as a team."
Argentina will face Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku's Belgium in the quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday.
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