The Spanish King's Cup match against the "Huesca" team became the 200th jubilee game for Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano wearing the Catalan club's jersey.
At the press conference, the Argentine reviewed the recent years of his career.
"The summer of 2010 was very long and turbulent. The World Cup was taking place, and I was ready to change clubs. My first choice was then Inter Milan coached by Rafael Benitez. I knew the strategist well, so I wanted to play in his team. Negotiations started with Liverpool for my departure, and I had to prepare for the World Championships. There were many things going on", - recalled J. Mascherano.
The footballer admitted that at that time, when it seemed like tension would reach its peak, even more chaos appeared in his life.
"All thoughts were focused on Milan, but then an offer came from Barca and suddenly my head started thinking about what it would be like if I played for that team. Negotiations for departure from Liverpool were not easy, but when you really want something, everything works out," - the player assured.
According to J. Mascherano, Barcelona changed him both as a person and as a footballer.
"I learned a lot. The 2011 Champions League final was the realization of my dream and the recognition of all my efforts. I won what I couldn't do with Liverpool in 2007. I didn't expect to play at Wembley Stadium, but later I saw my name in the starting lineup. In the end, I didn't expect to learn to play as a center-back, because until then defensive functions were familiar to me in the center," - said J. Mascherano.
The Argentine, who signed a contract with Barcelona in the summer of 2010, admitted that at that time he didn't even think that in his new team he would manage to play two hundred matches: "At that time, it seemed like something unattainable, but now all of that is reality."
fcbarcelona.lt
