Javier Mascherano retires from football after 17 illustrious years

 

Argentine legend, Javier Mascherano on his final bow at Barcelona before heading to China. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Sunday night in Estudiantes, Argentina, news broke out that former Liverpool and Barcelona great, Javier Mascherano has drawn the curtain on an illustrious career that spanned 17 years.

 

Javier Mascherano appeared in the spotlight in Europe for the first time at Westham, having joined from Brazilian side Corinthians and was partly owned by a private firm which led to some days in court but he soon found his way to Liverpool where he made significant mark.

 

Mascherano paired brilliantly with Xabi Alonso in the Liverpool midfield and terrorized many teams, he was assured, precise, dirty when he needs to be and commanding to say the least.

 

Saturday, 22^nd March 2020 marked the ugliest day in Liverpool jersey for Javier Mascherano; it was a high profile and intense fixture against Manchester United, Rafael Benitez had opted for a defensive balance and it didn’t yield much.

 

Fernando Torres was booked for what referee Bennet regarded as a dive and everything went south for Mascherano from there, he kept remonstrating with the referee who had booked him for a lunge on Paul Scholes but it was the indiscretions of the Argentine to complain through 30 yards following Bennet up field that earned him the sending off.

 

Mascherano left Liverpool for Barcelona and won 19 titles including five La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions league trophies; he left the Catalan club for China after eight illustrious years but following a loss on Sunday at Estudiantes, the 36 year old announced his retirement from football.

 

For Argentina, Mascherano played 147 times and he was part of the last four World Cups, in Germany in 2006 where Argentina crashed out to Germany at the quarter finals, in South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014 where Argentina finished as runner up to Germany and Russia in 2018.

 

Mascherano will be remembered for his fierce tackles, aerial duels, erratic moments and his sheer versatility. He won two Olympic medals for Argentina and his place in world football is forever secured.