Javier Mascherano talks Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Liverpool, World Cup

By
Roy Nemer
-
14

Javier Mascherano has played for some of the biggest clubs in the world and in an interview on Tuesday, the Argentine spoke about it all.

Mascherano has played in several tournament finals, one of which was a World Cup final. He’s played alongside the best players in the world and managed by some of the best. Now retired, the former Barcelona man spoke about the finals he has played in with Argentina and his clubs. Speaking in an interview with Libero of TyC Sports, here’s what he had to say:

“The final I lost the most which hurt the most was the World Cup one. Being champions at the Maracana means being eternal. It changes a lot being a World champion. The dressing room I saw the most hurt was after the final of the 2016 Copa America.

“I didn’t know how to handle the “Mascherano +10” from Maradona. I was very young.

“The block on Robben sums up my career: Not give up. With Messi, we always took charge of the situation and they always criticized us for it.

“In Russia, everything was going badly and we couldn’t deal with it.”

The Argentine also stated that it was Lionel Messi who helped bring him to Barcelona:

“Messi helped in Barcelona signing me. Pep didn’t want to know anything. Guardiola was the best coach I had in my career. I told him I was going to Barcelona to learn.

“The first thing Pep told me when I joined Barcelona was: “You know you’re coming here to be a substitute, no?””

In regards to his time prior to joining Barcelona:

“When Tevez and I arrived at West Ham, they didn’t know us. We had just came back from playing a World Cup and Alan Pardew asked us where we played. The best Mascherano was the one from Liverpool. Their fans were the one’s who me the most affection. In 2004, after the Olympic games, I got a call from Real Madrid.”

Regarding Lionel Messi:

“From what I saw, Messi is the best, the most complete. I hope he ends his career with Barcelona.”

And about joining Estudiantes:

“I had practically signed with Inter Miami but I decided to go back to Argentina.”

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14 Comments

  1. Lisandro Martinez should be back up for Acuna in Left Back role. Lisandra Martinez has good passing ability and crossing and even he regularly goes into opposition penalty box so Lisandro should be choose as LB.

    • Lisandro is rumored to be on Barca radars. That would be incredible. Doubt Ajax let him go for $25m though unless they have some side deal.

  2. selecting armani who is nearly 35 years old is very bad decision.. if he continue over marchesin and emi there will be another disaster decision. he is taken a spot where another young goalie could be give nt experience

    • Xavi Alonso also said that tackling is a desperate moves to try to get the ball except when Mascherano does it….

  6. Lucky escape for river as atletico junior cant win against sante fe. Good strike by girotti from an accurate alvarez cross. I guess the only positive in game. Armani movement on all 3 goals conceded was like watching a slow motion video. Hope scaloni is watching.

    • There is a lot I can complain about, Armani, Carrascal, diving Brazilians, maybe even Maidana (its harder to complain about him) but I won’t. A week and a half ago I was preparing for Sudamericana and even worse. The fight we put in last game I will remember for a long long time. We survived and given everything I am happy. By the way, assuming you watched the game, what do you think of the Felipe Peña kid? I am very impressed with him. The pass for the Girotti goal was too good for a 20 year old playing his second game. Shame about Lecanda letting a deflection past for the second goal but I see a future in him. Armani is VERY VERY concerning though. I am shocked he was even called up much less a starter.

      • oh yes Olive . That was a perfect opposition dissecting pass to Alvarez ( something that Banega wld be proud of ) . Didnt realize that it was Pena . I thought it was Palavecino. Need to watch this kid now.
        Fair enough that some luck finally came River’s way after events of last 2 weeks . Santa Fe not losing was very surprising . Armed with this struggle , i think River will be stronger in the knockout stage

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