Javier Mascherano

At 39 years old, Javier Mascherano has this physical status:

Javier Alejandro Mascherano (born 8 June 1984) is an Argentine professional football coach and former player who is the head coach of Argentina's national under-20 team. He played as a player, most notably for Liverpool, Barcelona, and Argentina's national team.

Mascherano began his career at River Plate, where he received his first senior award, the Argentine Prime Ministerión, in 2003–04. In 2005, he moved to Corinthians, winning the Brazilian Série A in his first season. Mascherano travelled to Europe after signing for West Ham United in Premier League, but his brief time with the club was marred by unusual contract terms with Global Soccer Agencies. He started on loan with Liverpool, progressing to the final of the UEFA Champions League before the club agreed to a £18.7 million transfer fee. Mascherano, who spent three years with Liverpool, moved to Barcelona in 2010, where he converted his role from defensive midfielder to full central defender. Among other things, he gained five La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and two FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona.

Mascherano made 147 appearances for Argentina's national team, becoming the country's second most capped player (after Lionel Messi). He played for the country from 2003 to 2018, winning runner-up in 2004, 2005, and four FIFA World Cups, beginning in 2003. He twice received a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2004 and 2008, becoming the first male footballer to win this double feat since Hungary defender Dezs Novák in 1968. Mascherano was Argentina's captain from 2008 to 2011.

Personal life

Mascherano has been charged with two counts of fraud totaling less than €1.5 million in October 2015, having failed to disclose €1.5 million in income in 2011 and 2012. He appeared in court in January 2016 in the hopes of avoiding prison for the indictments, and was fined €800,000. For seeking to avoid tax refund collection, he was sentenced to one year in jail. The sentence was suspended, resulting in no prison time being served if he does not offend again during the suspended term.

Source

Club career

Born in San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Mascherano rose through the River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he worked in the youth ranks. However, before making his club debut, he sang of Argentina.

River took home the 2003-2004 Clausura championship, and Mascherano captured his first silverware. The 2004 Copa Libertadores River reached the semi-finals, but Boca Juniors defeated on penalties, but was disqualified on penalties. Several clubs, including Real Madrid and Deportivo La Corua, expressed an interest in signing Mascherano, but River Plate refused to sign any bids, saying that none of the interested parties were prepared to pay sufficiently.

River's 2004-05 campaign was not fruitful, finishing third in the Apertura Championship and only tenth in the Clausura. In the Copa Libertadores River again lost in the semi-final, this time to So Paulo. Corinthians, a Brazilian club, acquired Mascherano from River Plate for US$15 million following the Confederations Cup in Germany.

The Brazilian Série A runs from April, so Mascherano joined Corinthians in mid-season. Mascherano missed only nine games for his new club in September 2005 after suffering a stress fractured his left foot, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. He returned to Argentina to be care for by the national team doctor and recuperate. Corinthians, on the other hand, won the 2005 Série A championship captained by Mascherano's Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez.

Mascherano had been out of action for six months, only returning on March 5, 2006. Corinthians was forced to open their 2006 Copa Libertadores without Mascherano, but he returned in time for the Round of 16 tie against River Plate, which Corinthians lost. Corinthians' 2006 Brazilian Série A, a Brazilian Série A, went wrong, and they were fighting against relegation at one point. The 2006 World Cup began in June and was postponed in June.

Despite the fact that his work attracted the attention of European clubs, he said he wished to remain with Corinthians to help with the relegation fight and postponed any transfer until January at the earliest. Mascherano and teammate Carlos Tevez joined West Ham United for an undisclosed fee just hours before the 2006 transfer window closed, but hours before the september 2006 transfer window was closed, however, Mascherano joined them for an undisclosed fee.

Mascherano was linked with top clubs around Europe in the summer of 2006, but he left for West Ham United in the English Premier League alongside Carlos Tevez. Mascherano has an Italian passport as a result of his ancestry from Sicily.

The move to West Ham was seen as surprising, with many of Europe's top clubs being linked to Mascherano all summer. There were several rumors about the transfer, many relating to Media Sports Investment's involvement in buying-out West Ham. West Ham fans were curious about whether or not the players were legitimate, or if a third party controlled their registration, and also that if a high enough (£112 million) bid was accepted, Ham would be forced to sell. (Mystere Services and Global Soccer Agencies, the entities that owned Mascherano, have since been confirmed.)

West Ham had won one game, drawn one, and lost one before Mascherano arrived. Upon his arrival, however, the team went into free-fall, losing eight games and drawing one game in all competitions before their next victory on October 29. Despite the team's struggles, Mascherano barely participated in the team during this period, sparking rumors regarding financial terms related to the amount of time he played. "I'm hoping Mascherano will leave West Ham "as soon as possible," Argentina's national coach Alfio Basile said in October, "I hope for God's sake that Mascherano will go to Juventus."

Liverpool requested FIFA permission to loan Mascherano from West Ham on January 16, 2007. As Mascherano had already played for both Corinthians and West Ham at this time, FIFA has stipulated that no one can play for more than two clubs between July and June the following year.

The agreement was accepted by FIFA on January 31, 2007. However, although Liverpool revealed his registration details before the midnight transfer deadline, the Premier League did not immediately inform Mascherano that it would not allow him to play for Liverpool, saying that it wanted to "take time to agree with the new arrangements."

In a further development, the Premier League was charged with West Ham for breaching rule B13, concerning acting in good faith, and rule U18, which challenges third-party ownership. The Premier League gave West Ham a world-record fine of £5.5 million on April 27.

Liverpool announced Mascherano to their UEFA Champions League squad on February 10, 2007, giving him the number 20 shirt. Mascherano's move to Liverpool became official on February 20, 2007 after the Premier League accepted Liverpool's offer to register the player at Anfield.

Mascherano made his Liverpool debut against Sheffield United on February 24, 2007, and Liverpool manager Rafael Bentez and team captain Steven Gerrard praised the Liverpool team's 4–0 triumph. After playing in a match against Arsenal on March 31th, Bentez dubbed Mascherano a "monster of a player." His coworkers were similarly impressed by his abilities; Xabi Alonso talked about how mature a player was for his age, adding, "He has a calm mind on the pitch." "In any moment, he is reviewing and planning about the game." Mascherano's first Champions League appearance came in the quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven on April 3rd. Mascherano, who was still establishing himself as a starter at the club, appeared in the Champions League Final against Milan last year. He and his colleague, Alonso, were able to stifle the creative output of both Kaká and Clarence Seedorf for a large portion of the game, but Liverpool lost 2–1 to Milan at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, but then succumbered to Milan. On the official Liverpool website, he was voted man of the match by the fans.

Following months of rumors, Mascherano signed a four-year contract with Liverpool on February 29, 2008, putting an end to his affiliation with Media Sports Investments. According to reports, the transfer cost Liverpool exceeded £18.6 million and did not include the transfer fee but also the player's wages for the four-year contract. Since Mascherano was not affiliated to another club, he was allowed to proceed immediately, effectively exempting him from the transfer window's rules. With a 20-yard strike against Reading, he scored his first Premier League and Liverpool goal on March 15, 2008.

Mascherano scored his first goal in the 2–0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on November 29, 2009, when his 30-yard shot seemed to be heading straight off target before falling foul of Joseph Yobo before locating the ball. The goal was officially set aside as an own goal. Mascherano was suspended after committing a bad foul on Tal Ben Haim in a match against Portsmouth on December 19, 2009. Mascherano's four-match suspension was later revealed after the firing result had been announced. Liverpool lost the match 2–0, marking his second red card of the season. Mascherano had the worst discipline record of the 2009–10 Premier League season, with seven yellow cards and two others in red. With a game against Unirea Urziceni away from home in the UEFA Europa League, he scored his first goal of the season, securing their spot in the round of 16 of the competition with a score of 4–1.

Mascherano told new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he wanted to leave the team on July 27, 2010, after returning from a break after the 2010 World Cup. Hodgson had failed with numerous attempts to reach Mascherano, but he was unable to contact him back on Merseyside because his calls went unreturned.

Mascherano was held in high esteem by the Liverpool fans, who even gave him his own song (to the tune of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army"). Mascherano, who won the 2011 Champions League Final against Manchester United, said, "I want to say, I know that Liverpool supporters, who were a little bit sad for me."

Liverpool revealed on August 27 that they had agreed a £17.25 million transfer fee with Barcelona for the player and had been given permission for him to speak with the Spanish club.

Mascherano was dismissed after collecting two yellow cards in his first game at Old Trafford against Manchester United on March 23, 2008. He was initially booked for a late tackle on Paul Scholes but then suspended for running towards referee Steve Bennett in order to protest Fernando Torres' yellow card. Mascherano was forced to be kicked from the field of play by Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. Rafael Bentez was coerced to abandon the team and plead with Mascherano to leave the field, and Peter Crouch was led to leave the tunnel. The Football Association ruled that the one-game suspension would be extended to three games for improper behaviour. Mascherano acknowledged the improper conduct charge levied against him, but appealed against the new two-match suspension. The FA dismissed this appeal, but Mascherano was also fined £15,000; he requested that this money be paid to a charity.

Mascherano may have been involved in Liverpool's 2–1 victory over Manchester United on September 13, 2008, but he was at fault for failing to protect countryman Carlos Tevez, who scored for United less than three minutes into the game. Mascherano made amends for his mistake and was instrumental in the score that brought Liverpool 2–1 up. On Liverpool's official website, Mascherano was named Man of the Match by the fans.

Mascherano's four-year deal with Barcelona came to an end on August 28, 2010. Mascherano's medical to complete his transfer to Barça on August 30, 2010, told Barça TV, "The truth is it's a wish, it's a great joy." He made his professional debut on September 11, 2010, losing by 0–2 at home against recently promoted Hércules, marking the first loss at the Camp Nou in 16 months. Mascherano had a mixed season at Camp Nou during the first half of the season, but for the latter part, he was mainly out of place in a centre-back role. In the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United at the Wembley Stadium, Mascherano joined Gerard Piqué on May 28. Barcelona defeated the game 3-1, with Mascherano pledging the victory to Liverpool fans, some of whom were upset during his move. Mascherano denied Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner a certain goal with a sliding tackle toward the end of the second leg of the round of 16 matches, with the Catalan team defeated the Gunners 3–3, 4–3.

Mascherano continued to play almost exclusively as a center back in his second season as a center back, putting in consistent results for the team in defense.

Mascherano signed a two-year deal with Barcelona on July 26, 2012, retaining him with the Catalan giants until 2016. His buyout price was set at €100 million. Mascherano signed a contract extension on June 7, tying him to the Catalan club until 2018 and keeping his buyout clause at €100 million.

Mascherano lifted the Champions League final by beating Juventus 3-1 at Berlin's Olympiastadion on June 6th. Barcelona became the first club in history to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup, and European Cup/Champions League twice.

Mascherano was appointed Barcelona's fourth captain for the 2015-16 season by club captain Xavi. Mascherano renewed his Barcelona deal on July 27, which will keep him at the club until 2020.

Mascherano scored his first and only goal for Barcelona on April 26, 2017, a penalty kick in a La Liga match against Osasuna.

Mascherano will leave the club after seven and a half seasons, according to Barcelona's January 23rd.

Mascherano's contract has been confirmed on January 24, 2018 by Hebei China Fortune, which will go into operation two days later. In a Chinese FA Cup match against Shandong Taishan on May 2, 2018, he scored his first goal for the club.

Mascherano will join Argentina's Estudiantes in January 2020 on a free transfer, according to the company's website on November 23, 2019. On January 25, 2020, he made his official debut in a league match against San Lorenzo, which resulted in a 1–1 draw.

Mascherano resigned as a professional footballer on November 15, 2020.

Coaching career

Mascherano was appointed manager of Argentina's under-20 team in December 2021, taking over the team in January.

International career

Mascherano's first international appearance was in 2001. In the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championships, he appeared on the Argentina team that finished fourth in the fourth round. He participated in the Toulon Tournament in June 2003, where he was named the best player of the tournament as Argentina's under-20s placed third.

Mascherano's success at youth level was so that he made his senior international debut before playing a single minute for River Plate's first team (due to the fact that River's long-serving captain Leonardo Astrada, nicknamed Chief), he was recalled as Chief). On July 16, 2003, the world made its international debut in a friendly against Uruguay.

Mascherano was called up to compete in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships, halfway through the 2003–04 Apertura championship. Argentina's outstanding player, Mascherano, placed fourth in fourth place. He was also suspended for the third place play-off, despite being suspended for the third time.

Mascherano appeared in Argentina's Olympic squad for the South American Pre-Olmpico tournament in Chile in January 2004. Argentina triumphed the tournament, thus qualifying for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Mascherano and the crew continued to become gold medalists in Greece in August.

Mascherano was drafted in Argentina's senior squad for the 2004 Copa América. Argentina lost on penalties in the final to Brazil, but Mascherano did enough to be named Argentina's Player of the Tournament by his teammates.

Mascherano appeared every minute of every match for Argentina in the 2006 World Cup, with Argentina losing to Germany in the quarterfinals.

During the 2007 Copa América, his first two goals for the senior Argentina team came in July 2007. He scored his only goal in Argentina's final group stage match against Paraguay on July 5th, putting them in first place in the group's last group stage competition against Paraguay. In a 4–0 victory over Peru in the quarter-finals on July 8, he scored a goal. Argentina advanced to the final of the tournament on July 15th, beating Brazil 3–0. Mascherano's stellar play at the tournament earned him the honor of being the best Argentine player in a team made up of many stars.

After receiving two yellow cards in a match against the United States, Mascherano received his first red card for the national team on June 8. In the 86th minute of the match, which ended 0–0, he was dismissed.

Mascherano was chosen to represent Argentina at the Olympics in Beijing later this year as one of the country's top-23 year-old players. "It's important for any athlete to protect the gold medal," he said at the call-up. I may be the only person from my country to do it, and I'll go down in history." Argentina won the tournament, making Mascherano the second Argentine sportsman to win two Olympic gold medals (following polo player Juan Nelson).

Diego Maradona, Argentina's head coach, said he wanted Mascherano to be the team's captain shortly after being appointed in November 2008. "I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian shirt with the most authentic design, being close to the teammate." Maradona said. "I will convince him." "He'll be my captain."

Mascherano was appointed Argentina's new captain on October 10th, naming Javier Zanetti in place of Javier Zanetti. Argentina captained Mascherano at the 2010 World Cup and qualified to the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Germany 4–0. He only missed the last match of the group stage against Greece because he was unable to attend the last match of the group stage.

Mascherano captained Argentina during the 2011 Copa América on home soil, but the team was defeated by Uruguay at the quarter-final stage. Lionel Messi, who was named Argentina's captain by new boss Alejandro Sabella, was fired as Argentina's captain in August 2011. Mascherano was vice captain of the national team until he was named vice captain.

Mascherano played his 100th international match for Argentina against Iran, which la Albiceleste won 1–0. Messi wore the captain's armband and pundits often referred to the squad as Messi plus ten others, but Mascherano was the squad's de facto captain and midfield general during the tournament. After Messi's prolific scoring stalled after the group stage, Mascherano asserted himself vocally, particularly during the knockout rounds, where the media rated him as Argentina's best player. Mascherano was knocked unconscious by a header contested by Georginio Wijnaldum and led off the pitch with a suspected concussion, but he returned to play moments later. Mascherano recovered his anus by making a goal-saving slide tackle on Arjen Robben in stoppage time. Argentina will qualify to the final in a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero saving kicks from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder. Argentina had not forfeited a goal in 330 minutes in elimination games, as well as never having trailed in the tournament, thanks to Mascherano's prowess as a defensive midfielder and boss.

Mascherano was chosen on the ten-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player on July 11th. During every minute of Argentina's campaign, he had the most tackles of any player (30) and the third-most passes (576 at a success rate of 89%). Argentina lost 1–0 to Germany after extra time, with Mario Götze scoring in the 113th minute in the Final.

Mascherano was selected in Jorge Sampaoli's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in May. In a 4–0 friendly win over Haiti on May 29, 2018, Javier Zanetti's record for the most appearances for Argentina stood in his 143rd cap. His 144th cap cap appeared in Argentina's first match at the World Cup, a 1–1 draw against Iceland on June 16, making him the country's sole most capped player.

Following Argentina's disqualification from the World Cup after a 4–3 loss against France in the Round of 16, Mascherano announced his retirement from international football on June 30, 2018.

Career statistics

Notes

Source