JAKARTA - Former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano announced hanging his boots from football after serving 17 years in South America and Europe.
The defensive midfielder began his professional career with Argentine giants River Plate in 2003 and spent a year in Brazil with Corinthians before moving to the English Premier League.
Mascherano had a short career at West Ham and then three years at Liverpool before he joined Barcelona, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
After winning five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues among a number of other trophies during his eight years at Camp Nou, he decided to move to Hebei China Fortune.
The 36-year-old returned to Argentina in January this year, reuniting with former national team mate Juan Sebastian Veron, who is chairman of the Estudiantes de La Plata club.
Mascherano has been a regular for the Argentine club and is contracted until June 2021, but he has decided to retire now.
"It is time to finish my career because of the things that have happened to me in the last few months, that on a personal level and after thinking about it all this time, the most true thing is to finish (career) today," Mascherano said at a press conference. quoted by Antara from Goal on Monday, November 16.
"I have lived my profession 100 percent, I gave my best and today I find it difficult to be late and I do not mean disrespectful to Estudiantes, who trusted me to return to Argentina, or my colleagues, or this profession."
"It has nothing to do with the club or with the results, but with the feelings one has been feeling lately, which make the illusion that one is a footballer fade."
"Post-pandemic, I think I'll feel the spark again, but the truth is I can't. Out of respect for everyone, it's time to step back and end this."
"I don't want to let time pass," he added.
During the conference, Mascherano also expressed his gratitude to Estudiantes for giving him the opportunity to play at the end of his career.
"I am very grateful to the club I play for, the team-mates I have had throughout my career and to Estudiantes for giving me the opportunity to come and play recently."
"I thank (coach Leandro) Desabato, my institution and colleagues for being with me for these last days."
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