Javier Mascherano has come to terms with the idea that he will soon have to leave Barcelona and make way for younger footballers.
The Argentine arrived in Catalonia from Liverpool in 2010 and since then has won the UEFA Champions League twice, triumphed in the Spanish championships four times, and secured four Copa del Rey titles.
The 33-year-old veteran has also transitioned from a defensive midfielder to a center-back, but even this flexibility does not convince him that he can still be useful to the team.
"I think my time here is coming to an end. It's logical that after so long at this club, I can't do much more," Mascherano told ESPN.
"I'm not saying this with a heavy heart. I spent the best years of my career at this club. I will never forget that."
"I'm one of those people who believe you need to know when it's the right time to end a certain stage."
"I would like to end my own stage at the right time, but that doesn't depend on me."
"I'm committed to finishing it on time, because when I left Liverpool, I wasn't in a good place and I didn't like it."
"I didn't like feeling as if returning to Liverpool would still be something toxic."
"I don't want the same thing to happen with Barcelona."
Mascherano's current contract with the La Liga leaders is valid until the summer of 2019.
