Javier Mascherano

Profile Football Stars | Javier Mascherano | Mascherano began his career at River Plate. He earned his first senior honors in 2003-04, winning the Primera División Argentina. He also won an Olympic gold medal with Argentina in the Athens Games and finished runner up in the Copa América 2004. He moved to Brazilian side Corinthians in 2005, winning the Brazilian Série A in his first season. Mascherano moved to Europe, signing for Premier League side West Ham United. Mascherano's two most used nicknames (in Argentina) are Masche and El Jefecito (The little chief). Mascherano holds an Italian passport also, the which makes him eligible as an EU player.

Born in San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Mascherano came through the youth ranks at River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, before making his club debut he made his name representing Argentina. Mascherano won his first Silverware when River won the 2003-04 Clausura (Closing) championship. the Copa Libertadores River again lost in the semi-finals, this time to São Paulo. After the Confederations Cup in Germany, Brazilian club Corinthians acquired Mascherano from River Plate for U.S. $ 15 million.

The Brazilian Série A runs from April, so Mascherano joined Corinthians in mid-season. After playing only nine games for his new club, on September 2005, Mascherano suffered a stress fracture to his left foot Causing him to miss the end of the season. In total, Mascherano was out of action for six months, only returning on 5 March 2006. The Corinthians were forced to start Their 2006 Copa Libertadores without Mascherano, but he returned in time for the Round of 16 tie against River Plate, the which Corinthians lost. In June, the league season was interrupted for the 2006 World Cup.

During the summer of 2006 Mascherano was linked with top clubs around Europe, he Stated he would relish playing in Spain for Real Madrid or FC Barcelona but eventually he signed for West Ham United in the Premier League. Mascherano holds an Italian passport due to his Ancestry. The move to West Ham was seen as surprising, with many of Europe's top clubs having been linked with Mascherano all summer. There were many rumors about the nature of the transfer, primarily regarding Media Sports Investment's interest in buying-out West Ham. On 27 April the Premier League West Ham issued a world-record fine of £ 5.5 million.

On 10 February 2007, Liverpool added Mascherano to Their Champions League squad and gave him the number 20 shirt. Eventually, on 20 February 2007, Mascherano's move to Liverpool Became official after the Premier League accepted Liverpool's request to register the player at Anfield. Mascherano had the worst disciplinary record of the 2009-10 Premier League season with seven yellow cards and two red. On 27 July 2010, after returning from a break after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Mascherano informed new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson That he wanted to leave the Anfield club.

On 30 August 2010, Mascherano passed his medical to complete his transfer to Barça, Barça TV and of toll "All is fair in fair and love ". On 28 May 2011, Mascherano started alongside Gerard Pique in the 2011 Champions League Final against Manchester United. Barcelona went on to win the game 3-1 with Mascherano dedicating the win to Liverpool fans, some of the which he had upset during his move.

Mascherano's first international appearance in 2001 came. Halfway through the 2003-04 Apertura (Opening) championship, Mascherano was called up to play in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Argentina again finished fourth with Mascherano the team's outstanding player. Soon after being appointed head coach of Argentina in November 2008, Diego Maradona Mascherano Announced That he wanted to be the team's captain. Sure enough, Mascherano accepted Diego Maradona's offer to Become the new Argentina captain on 10 November, Replacing Javier Zanetti. At the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Argentina, captained by Mascherano, got to the quarter finals where They were Defeated 4-0 by Germany.

Personal information
Javier Alejandro Mascherano full name
Date of birth 8 June 1984 (age 27)
Place of birth San Lorenzo, Argentina
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Defensive midfielder

Club information
Current club Barcelona
Number 14

Senior career
years Team
2003-2005 River Plate 46 (1)
2005-2006 Corinthians 26 (0)
2006-2007 West Ham United 5 (0)
2007-2010 Liverpool 94 (1)
2010 - Barcelona 50 (0)

National team
2003-2004 Argentina U20 22 (1)
2004-2008 Argentina U23 18 (0)
2003-Argentina 79 (2)

Honours

Club
River Plate
     Primera División Argentina: 1
         2003-04 Clausura

Corinthians
     Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 1
         2005

Barcelona
     La Liga: 1
         2010-11
     UEFA Champions League: 1
         2010-11
     Supercopa de España: 1
         2011
     UEFA Super Cup: 1
         2011
     FIFA Club World Cup: 1
         2011

International
     Olympic Gold Medal: 2
         2004, 2008