Javier Mascherano life and biography

Javier Alejandro Mascherano (born 8 June 1984 in San Lorenzo) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Liverpool and captain of the Argentine 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 whom has repeatedly stated that his selection is "Mascherano and 10 more".

Mascherano's two most used nicknames (in Argentina) are Masche and El Jefecito (The little chief).Former Argentine footballers Jorge Valdano and Jorge Solari regard him as possibly the best central midfielder in the world.
He is considered a key part of the national side by coach Diego Maradona who stated that his team is now just Jonas, Mascherano, Messi and eight more.


Javier Mascherano is one of the last great players to emerge from the junior ranks of River Plate, and was outstanding in a position previously occupied by the greatest heroes of that famous club, such as Americo Ruben Gallego, Reinaldo Carlos Merlo, Leonardo Astrada and Matias Almeyda.

The career of this talented midfielder followed the same path of his countryman Carlos Tevez. He shone in a great Argentine club (winning two league titles with River), was transferred to Corinthians of Brazil and then to West Ham in England, just like the former Boca player.

He was later transferred to Liverpool, where he finally found some solidity and consistency, before being linked with a series of moves to other European clubs, with Barcelona repeatedly named as possible suitors.

In spite of his youth, he is one of the stars of the Argentine national team, and has been captain since the arrival of Maradona at the helm. He has won two gold medals in the Olympic Games: one in Athens 2004 and the other in Beijing 2008.

Strengths: His engine and ability to break up play and win the ball make him a key midfielder. His distribution, while unspectacular, is accurate.

Weaknesses: Lacks accuracy in his shooting at goal.

Career high: He was one of the cornerstones in the midfield of the Argentine team that grabbed gold at the 2004 Olympics.

Career low: His stint with West Ham, where he played very little.

Style: He is always the engine of the team in which he plays. A fierce midfielder with great ability to recover possession for his team.

Quotes: "Mascherano and ten other guys," was Maradona's answer when asked about the names on his teamsheet.

Trivia: Debuted for the Argentine national team before making his debut in the Argentine first division for his own team.

Soccernet says: His sacrifices, his ability to lead by example and his level of play make him worthy of the captaincy of a national team in which he is probably the only player not under question.

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