Argentina coach Diego Maradona stands by his decision to ignore Inter Milan pair Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso for his World Cup squad.

The pair have been outstanding in Inter's Treble push.

But Maradona said: "I am only sorry for Fernando Gago (of Real Madrid). He was one of my boys, but he played too little this year and that's why I didn't call him up.

"There is nothing strange and nothing to explain about Zanetti's exclusion. It was already decided a long time ago. And as for Cambiasso, it's the same story."