Lazio recruit Mark Bresciano has admitted he had thoughts of quitting the Australian national team during the World Cup.

The 30-year old midfielder, who left Palermo to join Lazio in the Serie A off-season, was left out of the Socceroos' first group stage game against Germany and admits he and coach Pim Verbeek had stern words in the aftermath of that match.

"From my side it was the opposite, Pim had a go at me," Bresciano told the Daily Telegraph in response to reports suggesting he targeted Verbeek in South Africa.

"It was the day after the Germany game. He had to let out some frustration and I think he was just trying to pump me up.

"If I had a contract I probably would have had words with him and left.

"Deep down inside, I think he's a good bloke. But under pressure he lost his way."

Bresciano admitted the 2010 tournament was nowhere near enjoyable as Germany 2006 from an individual viewpoint but said he was happy to have represented his nation on the world stage once again.

"I was happy to be there because I came from a back injury and operation and they were my first games, so a big thanks to the medical staff that I got there," Bresciano added.

"But it was very frustrating and I didn't enjoy it as much as 2006, mainly due to the stuff that happened on a personal level.

"Not playing the first game and then coming off in the next two games, especially against Serbia.

"I felt I really started getting into the game and then he took me off. It was very frustrating."