I am still destroyed by exit - Veron

ARGENTINA star Juan Sebastian Veron has admitted he feels "destroyed" about his country's shock early exit from the World Cup.

The pre-tournament favourites crashed out of the finals at the first hurdle after failing to get out of Group F.

Sweden and England beat the South Americans to qualification and Manchester United ace Veron admitted everyone is still in a state of shock over their exit.

"I am destroyed. We didn't deserve this," said Veron. "I usually cry a lot and the night after the match I cried even more.

"Bitter? Of course, but calm. If we had lost by four goals, we could regret our displays.

"But that's not the case. I think we did everything well.

"We came here to wear the Argentina shirt, to wear the Argentina colours on our chest with pride.

"But it ended in a way that we didn't expect and, I think, didn't deserve."

Veron has come in for a lot of criticism for his below-par display against England where he was taken off at half time.

The former Lazio man knows that the side will come in for a lot of abuse from their expectant media and fans, but he feels the squad are not to blame

"There will be critics. It will be said that we could have played better, but you have to look at what this team did," said Veron.

"I think it was a disgrace we went out, and we can't find the answer to the big question. Why?"

Veron has accepted that he was not at his best for the finals and blamed the rigours of a hard Premiership season for his disappointing displays.

"I wasn't in my best shape, mainly on the mental side," said Veron.

"It was the end of a very tough season, and I was two months trying to cure my tendonitis."