BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona and his Argentina team received a warm welcome from thousands of fans who turned out to greet them Sunday despite the side`s World Cup quarter-finals elimination.

Fans, dressed in the blue and white shirts of the national team, held up banners proclaiming "Argentina!" or "Diego, Diego".

"We are happy. I ask Diego to keep going," said one fan, carrying his son in his arms.

Argentina were knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday, losing 4-0 in the quarter-finals to Germany in Cape Town.

"I have come from Tucuman and travelled 1400km just to see Diego. I love him to death. We will win get our revenge in the Copa America (being staged in Argentina in 2011)," said another supporter.

Many fans insisted that they wanted Maradona to stay in charge of the national team.

"Diego, stay! We support you!," said one banner.

BDST: 1354hrs, July 5, 2010