Meanwhile, Maradona dismissed suggestions he might rest
Lionel Messi for Tuesday's final Group B clash against Greece, insisting it would be a "sin" to deprive the public of seeing the best player on the planet.
Prior to the start of the World Cup there had been concerns about Messi's state of health following a gruelling season with Barcelona, and the 22-year-old then played the full 90 minutes against Nigeria and South Korea.
With Argentina having won both those games to establish a three-point lead at the top of Group B heading into the final round of fixtures, it might have crossed Maradona's mind to give Messi a break for the clash with Greece.
That prospect seemed even more likely as Maradona tested a radically different team in training to the one that beat South Korea 4-1, with Messi one of those not involved, but it appears the FIFA World Player of the Year will start in Polokwane.
"Lionel Messi always wants to play and I thought I should give him a break (in training), but if you have a player as good as Leo, who is the best player in the world, I think it would be a sin not to give Messi to the people, to the team, and leave out the player who can certainly make the difference in a match," Maradona said.
"We of course wanted to give Lionel Messi a break (in training). He will play."
Maradona also played down Messi's lack of success in front of goal.
"If Messi is having a bad run then let him continue with that bad run, because I'm extremely pleased with Messi's performances," he said. "He goes out to play and help his team-mates. Leo helps define the match and creates things for the other players."
Chanzo:
2010 World Cup: Diego Maradona still fighting for fair play - ESPN Soccernet