Hernan Crespo says that Argentina are "not losers" despite their Copa America final defeat to Brazil.
The Internazionale forward admitted that the team's results over the last year have been disappointing, but insists that the better team won.
"Brazil defended well, they controlled (Juan Roman) Riquelme and they were lucky enough to score quickly," said the striker, who passed Diego Maradona to become Argentina's second all-time scorer with 35 goals.
On the team's recent performances he added to TyC Sports: "I participated in three World Cups and a Copa America and we could not win anything.
"But we are not losers.
"Under the same circumstances some of the biggest stars in the world would have failed, for example [Paolo] Maldini,[Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge, [Johan] Cruyff."
Crespo also praised team-mate Roberto Ayala, the centre-back who retired from international football after the tournament.
He said: "Ayala is an example to all of us and he deserved a better end."
"Brazil defended well, they controlled (Juan Roman) Riquelme and they were lucky enough to score quickly," said the striker, who passed Diego Maradona to become Argentina's second all-time scorer with 35 goals.
On the team's recent performances he added to TyC Sports: "I participated in three World Cups and a Copa America and we could not win anything.
"But we are not losers.
"Under the same circumstances some of the biggest stars in the world would have failed, for example [Paolo] Maldini,[Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge, [Johan] Cruyff."
Crespo also praised team-mate Roberto Ayala, the centre-back who retired from international football after the tournament.
He said: "Ayala is an example to all of us and he deserved a better end."
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