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Maradona to Argentina players ahead of final: 'Win or don't return'

Andrew Boyers / Reuters

Diego Maradona did little to extinguish the pressure on Argentina ahead of the Copa America Centenario final against Chile.

In fact, El Pibe de Oro's message will likely have the opposite effect on the team.

"Of course I think we'll win," the 1986 World Cup winner said on Argentine television station C5N, as translated by ESPNFC.

"But if you don't win, don't come back."

Chile defeated La Albiceleste in the final last year on home soil, marking Argentina's second consecutive loss in an international tournament final after falling to Germany during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

A third defeat, however, will be an unforgivable offense in the eyes of one of the country's most celebrated players in Maradona.

Argentina will look for redemption Sunday when it locks horns with Chile at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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