FC Barcelona take woensdagvoormiddag after 7,5 seasons farewell to defender Javier Mascherano, so made the Spanish match organiser Tuesday known. The 33-year-old Argentine international was in the summer of 2010 by the Blaugrana over from Liverpool. With the Catalans he won eighteen prizes, and he came to 334 official matches, only three foreign players did better: his fellow countryman, Lionel Messi, the Dutchman Phillip Cocu, and the Brazilian Dani Alves.
Mascherano worked at Barcelona under five coaches: Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde. According to Spanish media he soon signed a contract with a Chinese club. In the twilight of his career he wants to have one financial killing. With the Colombian Yerry Mina drew Barça already have a replacement.
Initially it was Mascherano as defensive midfielder and regulator played out, and he came just as the truck in the back. As the years progressed he became more and more as a defender to be considered and since the summer of 2014, he received a competition from Thomas Vermaelen, who, however, had to continue in the Catalan capital. This season had the Red Devil to the end of October, waiting for an injury to Mascherano to get his first speelminuten to address.
Vermaelen did well and remained in the base – despite the return of Samuel Umtiti. An injury last weekend, decided otherwise. In the league game against Betis hurt our fellow countryman on the hamstrings, allowing him two weeks out and Umtiti again gets the chance. For the Red Devils is the hope for a good second half for the blessuregevoelige defender, because back in the national team is too thinly, and the replacements are not of the same level.
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