14 - Javier Mascherano

[fergus90]

A legend but retiring is the right decision, he looked very behind the pace of things this tournament but his commitment and fight is always 100% no matter what.

 

[El Flaco]

Mascherano retires from Argentina NT

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[Raketa10]

Should have retired after Copa. He was horrendous in this tournament!

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

You could see how important Masche is for Argentina but unfortunately he could not perform in every game. Also made mistakes that are unusual for him.

 

[magicomessi]

Worst player of the tournament... slow awful & I don’t know why he always try to act like if he is a great playmaker!!!! Even at Barcelona he was awful but so licky to play in a system that won’t expose him ....biggest win for Argentina that he finally will disappear

 

[Givenchy]

he has the right spirit and fight, the guy has always been a warrior but sadly his body disagrees now. poor WC for him but Argentina should be producing better players instead of relying on grandpa Masch

 

[Joan]

It was his last WC game, what's the point of shitting on him now?

Legend. Wish him all the best.

 

[Iarwain]

The guy basically retired without ever getting it how to evade midfield pressure by movement or play penetrative passes between the lines. Even the likes of Matić or Obi Mikel have more composure on the ball.

I won't remember him as a truly elite midfielder.

On top of that, he's an emotional trainwreck of a character. You can actually see how his emotions fuck him up when the going gets tough, and you'd expect him to keep his cool.

 

[ZenI]

I love Masch and what he's done for us, that was than though - but Argentina should have played with about anybody else and they would have done better.

 

[Mitchell1978]

Legend both for barça and Agentina (most caped player) but retiring now is the right choice (maybe even overdue).

 

[jamrock]

Captain my Captian

 

[Icarium]

Legend. He gave his all imo. It is Coach's fault to rely on him at this age. But then again they don't have many alternatives.

 

[xXKonan]

Read a couple of reports he's heading back to River plate in 2019.

 

[Leo_Messi]

[youtube]ltWkKNS9q-c[/youtube]

His first extended interview since the World Cup. Will watch it today or in the next few days. Should be an interesting talk.

 

[Leo_Messi]

[youtube]ltWkKNS9q-c[/youtube]

His first extended interview since the World Cup. Will watch it today or in the next few days. Should be an interesting talk.

Mascherano comes across as really clever (for a footballer) in that interview. I have no doubt (if he wants to) that he would become a great, great manager having worked with so many talented managers and played in 3 (now 4 if we include China) so different leagues and types of football environments and having experienced the managerial and stylistic turmoil that has been Argentina for the past 15+ years.

The fact that he openly admitted to loving discussing football with all of his managers, that all the managers saw him as the natural leader (or one of them) and maybe most importantly that he (in his own words) always tried to reconcile everyone and find compromises and look at the bigger picture, would make him a hell of a manager.

Not to mention his never die attitude on the pitch and professionalism.

One to look for should he ever decide to become a manager. Could very well see him becoming the assistant of Xavi or one of the coaches of such a possible managerial team.

Miss El Jefecito. What a transformation he took after the move to us in 2010. From arguably one of the best if not the best DM's to one of the best CB's. All for the sake of the team while never hiding the fact that DM was his natural position and not playing like a CB.