It is a monument of world football that is going away. Javier Mascherano announced this Sunday the end of his football career. The midfielder, who has played at Estudiantes de La Plata since the start of the year, revealed his decision after his team lost to Argentinos (0-1).
“It was a decision that I had thought about. It is time to end my career. I have lived my job 100%, to the maximum of what I could. I thank the Estudiantes club who trusted me, my teammates and this job that gave me everything. I wanted to announce it so that there is no speculation “, explained” Le Petit Chef “, a nickname inherited from his passage to River Plate.
He won everything with Barça
A club where he started as a pro after being called up in Argentina team by Marcelo Bielsa in the summer of 2003. At only 19 years old. In more than seventeen years of career and 700 top-level matches, Mascherano has built a legendary CV for himself. Wherever he has gone, his grinta and his leadership have marked the spirits, from the Corinthians, to West Ham, via Liverpool and Hebei Fortuna (China).
But it is at FC Barcelona that the defensive midfielder, who will decline in central hinge over the years, has forged a track record of madness. In seven and a half seasons in Catalonia, the smooth-headed warrior has won two Champions League (2011, 2015), five Liga, four Copa del Rey, two Club World Cup.
Four World Cup contested
Loyal lieutenant of Lionel Messi, he also led the Albiceleste to the final of the 2014 World Cup (1-0 loss to Germany). Mascherano is also part of the very small circle of players to have played in a World Cup four times. Not to mention his two Olympic gold medals, won in 2004 (with Bielsa) and 2008 with his selection.
