Mascherano announces retirement from football

Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Argentine has finally hung up his boots

Javier Mascherano announced on Sunday that he has finally called time on his playing career.

The 36-year-old told a news conference that the time has come for him to hang up his boots.

He explained: “I want to announce that today I am retiring from soccer professionally, I want to thank this club that gave me the opportunity to finish my career in Argentina.”

Javier @Mascherano "Quiero anunciar que hoy me retiro del fútbol profesionalmente, quiero agradecer a este club que me dio la oportunidad que de terminar mi carrera en Argentina" pic.twitter.com/UDU3WHwRb4

— Estudiantes de La Plata (@EdelpOficial) November 15, 2020

Mascherano started his career at River Plate before joining Corinthians and then heading to the Premier League with West Ham United.

The Argentine then spent three years at Liverpool before joining Barcelona in 2010. He went on to win a host of titles during his spell at the Camp Nou, including five La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns, before saying a tearful goodbye in 2018.

Mascherano had a brief spell in China before heading back to Argentina to finish his career with Estudiantes.

Thanks for everything, El Jefecito!

Source: barcablaugranes.com