Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano
Personal information
Full name	Javier Alejandro Mascherano
Date of birth	8 June 1984 (1984-06-08) (age 25)
Place of birth	San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Liverpool
Number	20
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2003–2005 2005–2006 2006–2007 2007–	River Plate Corinthians West Ham United Liverpool	46 (0) 17 (0) 05 (0) 39 (1)
National team2
2003– 2004–2008 2003	Argentina Argentina U23 Argentina U20	45 (2) 18 (0) 22 (1)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:45, 15 November 2008 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 16:16, 11 October 2008 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Javier Alejandro Mascherano (pronounced IPA: [ˌmaskeˈɾano]) (born 8 June 1984) is an Argentine football player who plays as a defensive midfielder. He plays for Liverpool and is captain of the Argentina national team.

Mascherano began his career in at River Plate. He earned his first senior honours 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. However, unusual contract terms with Media Sports Investments blighted his brief time at the club and at the beginning of 2007 he joined Liverpool on loan.

He was runner up in the UEFA Champions League in his first season on Merseyside and again finished runner up in the Copa América with Argentina. He officially signed for Liverpool in February 2008 for £18.6 million, parting ways with Media Sports Investments. He won a second Olympic gold medal with Argentina in the Beijing 2008 Games, the first male footballer to achieve this since 1928. He was appointed captain of the national team by new head coach Diego Maradona in November 2008.

Mascherano's two most used nicknames (in Argentina) are Masche and Jefecito (Little chief).^[1][2] Former Argentine footballer Jorge Valdano regards him as one of the best holding midfielders in the world.^[3]

Club career

River Plate (2003-2005)

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.

His River Plate league debut came on 3 August 2003 against Nueva Chicago. River won 2–1. After returning from the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, Mascherano was straight back into action for River in the 2003 Copa Sudamericana final. Over the two legs River were beaten 4–3 by Peruvian club Cienciano.

Mascherano won his first silverware when River won the 2003–04 Clausura (Closing) championship. In the 2004 Copa Libertadores River reached the semi-final, but lost on penalties to arch-rivals Boca Juniors.

Around this time several clubs including Real Madrid,^[4] and Deportivo de La Coruña declared an interest in signing Mascherano, but River Plate turned down all offers, saying that none of the interested parties were prepared to pay enough.

2004–05 was not a successful season for River, 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 São Paulo.

After the Confederations Cup in Germany, Brazilian club Corinthians acquired Mascherano from River Plate for US$ 15 million.

Corinthians (2005-2006)

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. He went back to Argentina to be operated on by the National team doctor and recuperate.^[5][6][7][8] However, Corinthians still claimed the 2005 Série A championship with the team captained by Mascherano's Argentine compatriot, Carlos Tévez.

In total, Mascherano was out of action for six months, only returning on 5 March 2006.^[9] 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, which Corinthians lost. The 2006 Brazilian Série A also went badly for Corinthians, and at one stage they were battling against relegation. In June, the league season was interrupted for the 2006 World Cup.

Although his performance drew the attention of European clubs, he stated his desire to remain with Corinthians, to help with the relegation battle, and postponed any transfer until January at the earliest.^[10] However, hours before the summer 2006 transfer window closed, Mascherano joined West Ham United for an undisclosed fee along with team-mate Carlos Tévez.^[11]

West Ham (2006-January 2007)

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 Barcelona but eventually he signed for West Ham United in the English Premier League. Mascherano holds an Italian passport due to his ancestry.^[12] 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 rumours about the nature of the transfer, primarily regarding Media Sports Investment's interest in buying-out West Ham. Rumours included speculation as to whether West Ham truly owned the players, and also that if a high enough (£112 million was touted) offer was received West Ham would be forced to sell.^[13] (It has since been discovered that Global Soccer Agencies and Mystere Services are the companies that owned Mascherano.)^[14]

Before Mascherano joined, West Ham had won one game, drawn one and lost one. However upon his arrival the team went into free-fall, losing eight games and drawing one game in all competitions before their next win on 29 October. During this time, Mascherano rarely featured in the team, despite their struggles, prompting rumours about financial clauses related to the amount of time he was actually played. In October, the Argentina national coach, Alfio Basile, declared that he hoped Mascherano would leave West Ham "as soon as possible," and "I hope for God's sake that Mascherano can go to Juventus."^[15]

On 16 January 2007, Liverpool requested clearance from FIFA to take Mascherano on loan from West Ham.^[16] FIFA's rules state that no player can play for more than two different clubs between 1 July and 30 June the following year, but Mascherano had already played for both Corinthians and West Ham during this time.

FIFA approved the deal on 31 January 2007.^[17] However, although Liverpool submitted his registration details before the midnight transfer deadline, England's Premier League did not immediately announce whether it would allow Mascherano to play for Liverpool, saying that it wanted to "take time to satisfy itself with the proposed arrangements".^[18]

In a further twist, it was announced on 2 March that the Premier League were charging West Ham with breaking rule B13, concerning acting in good faith, and rule U18, which concerns the influence of third-party ownership.^[19] On 27 April the Premier League issued West Ham a world-record fine of £5.5 million.^[20]

Liverpool (February 2007-Present)

Mascherano in action for Liverpool

On 10 February, 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.^[21]

Mascherano made his debut for Liverpool against Sheffield United on 24 February 2007,^[22] and was praised by the Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and team captain Steven Gerrard after Liverpool's 4–0 victory. After playing in a match against Arsenal on 31 March, Benitez called Mascherano a "monster of a player".^[23] Similarly, his teammates were impressed by his talent; Xabi Alonso noted how mature a player he was for his age, saying: "He has a cool mind on the pitch. He is analysing and thinking about the game in each moment."^[4] Mascherano's first Champions League appearance came in the quarter-final first leg against PSV in Eindhoven on 3 April. Hastily establishing himself as a starter at the club, Mascherano played in the Champions League Final that year against A.C. Milan. He and teammate Alonso were successful in stifling the creative play of both Kaka and Clarence Seedorf for much of the match but Liverpool eventually succumbed to Milan, losing 2–1.^[24] He was voted Liverpool's man of the match by the fans on the official Liverpool website.^[25]

Following months of speculation, Mascherano signed a four-year permanent contract with Liverpool on 29 February 2008, ending his association with Media Sports Investments.^[26] The transfer, which reportedly cost Liverpool £18.6 m,^[27] was allowed to go through as Mascherano was not contracted to another club, making him exempt from the rules of the transfer window. He scored his first Premier League and Liverpool goal on 15 March 2008, with a 25 yard strike against Reading.

He is referred to by Liverpool supporters as "The Masche" (pronounced "mask"),^[28] the "Monster Masche" (pronounced "mash"), or "Tommy".^[29] He also has his own song, which is his name sang to the tune of the White Stripes' song "Seven Nation Army".^[30]

Old Trafford Incident

In his first game at Old Trafford against Manchester United he was sent off after collecting two yellow cards.^[31] He was initially booked for a late tackle on Paul Scholes, and later dismissed for running towards the referee to protest a yellow card shown to Fernando Torres. Mascherano had to be pushed from the field of play by Steven Gerrard and Alonso. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was also forced to leave the dug out and plead with Mascherano to leave the field. He was also escorted down the tunnel by Peter Crouch. The Football Association ruled that the usual one-game suspension be increased to three games for improper conduct.^[32] Mascherano admitted the improper conduct charge levelled at him, but appealed against the further two to three match suspension.^[33] However, this appeal was denied by the Football Association,^[34] and Mascherano was also fined £15,000. However he demanded that this fine would be paid to a charity.^[35]

International career

Olympic medal record
Competitor for  Argentina
Men's Football
Gold	2004 Athens	Team Competition
Gold	2008 Beijing	Team Competition

In September 2001, Mascherano was part of the Argentina team that finished fourth in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. His impact at youth levels was such that he made his senior international debut before playing a single minute for River Plate's first team. That international debut came in a friendly against Uruguay on July 16 2003.^[36]

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.^[37] Mascherano was however suspended for the third place match.

In January 2004, Mascherano joined up with Argentina's under-23 team for the South American Pre-Olímpico tournament in Chile. Argentina won the tournament.

At the end of the 2003–2004 season Mascherano was included in the squad for the 2004 Copa América. Argentina lost to Brazil on penalties in the final, but Mascherano impressed enough to be voted Argentina's player of the tournament by his team-mates.^[37]

In August 2004, Mascherano was part of the gold medal-winning Argentine team at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

In June 2005, Mascherano joined up with the national team for the Confederations Cup in Germany. Argentina met Brazil in the final and lost 4–1.

In the 2006 World Cup, Mascherano played every minute of every game for Argentina.

He was sent off whilst playing for Argentina against the USA in a friendly at Giants Stadium for a foul challenge on Freddy Adu on 87 minutes.

In July 2007, Mascherano scored his first two goals for the senior Argentina's team during the Copa América 2007 and was widely selected as the best Argentine player in a squad full of stars.^[38]

In 2008 Mascherano was selected to represent Argentina in the Olympic games in Beijing as one of their over-23 year old players. Mascherano was thrilled at the call up saying "It's important for any athlete to defend the gold medal. I might be the only person from my country ever to do it and I'll go down in history."^[39] Argentina won the tournament making Mascherano the second Argentine sportsman ever (after polo player Juan Nelson) to win two Olympic gold medals.

Soon after being appointed head coach of Argentina, Diego Maradona announced he wants Mascherano to be the team's captain. "I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," he said. "I will convince him. He will be my captain."^[40]

On 10 November 2008, Mascherano accepted Diego Maradona's offer to become Argentina captain.^[41]

Honours

River Plate

• Primera División Argentina: 2003-04 Clausura

Corinthians

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2005

International

• Olympic Gold Medal: 2004, 2008

References

External links

• Official Liverpool profile
• Javier Mascherano career stats at Soccerbase
• Profile at BBC Sport
• LFChistory.net player profile
• Goal.com profile

Javier Mascherano - Navigation boxes Argentina squad – Copa América 2004 Runners-up 1 Abbondanzieri • 2 Ayala • 3 Sorín • 4 Quiroga • 5 Mascherano • 6 Heinze • 7 Saviola • 8 Zanetti • 9 Figueroa • 10 D'Alessandro • 11 Tévez • 12 Cavallero • 13 Placente • 14 Rodriguez • 15 Fernández • 16 L.González • 17 M.González • 18 K.González • 19 Delgado • 20 Medina • 21 Rosales • 22 Coloccini • Coach: Bielsa Argentina squad – 2004 Olympic Gold Medalists 1 Caballero • 2 Ayala • 3 Heinze • 4 Fernández • 5 K. Gonzalez • 6 Coloccini • 7 Saviola • 8 Mascherano • 9 Figueroa • 10 Tévez • 11 Delgado • 12 Rosales • 13 Rodríguez • 14 Medina • 15 D'Alessandro • 16 L. González • 17 M. González • 18 Lux • Coach: Bielsa Argentina squad – 2006 FIFA World Cup 1 Abbondanzieri • 2 Ayala • 3 Sorín • 4 Coloccini • 5 Cambiasso • 6 Heinze • 7 Saviola • 8 Mascherano • 9 Crespo • 10 Riquelme • 11 Tévez • 12 Franco • 13 Scaloni • 14 Palacio • 15 Milito • 16 Aimar • 17 Cufré • 18 Rodríguez • 19 Messi • 20 Cruz • 21 Burdisso • 22 González • 23 Ustari • Coach: Pekerman Argentina squad – Copa América 2007 Runners-up 1 Abbondanzieri • 2 Ayala • 3 Díaz • 4 Ibarra • 5 Gago • 6 Heinze • 7 Palacio • 8 Zanetti • 9 Crespo • 10 Riquelme • 11 Tévez • 12 Carrizo • 13 González • 14 Mascherano • 15 G.Milito • 16 Aimar • 17 Burdisso • 18 Messi • 19 Cambiasso • 20 Verón • 21 D.Milito • 22 Orión • Coach: Basile Argentina squad – 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists 1 Ustari • 2 Garay • 3 Monzón • 4 Zabaleta • 5 Gago • 6 Fazio • 7 Sosa • 8 Banega • 9 Lavezzi • 10 Riquelme • 11 Di María • 12 Pareja • 13 Acosta • 14 Mascherano • 15 Messi • 16 Agüero • 17 Buonanotte • 18 Romero • 22 Navarro • Coach: Batista