Argentine great Javier Mascherano retires aged 36

In this 2018 file photo, the President of the Argentina Football Association Claudio Tapia, left, presents a framed team jersey with the number 143 to Argentina's Javier Mascherano prior a friendly soccer match between Argentina and Haiti at the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo

In this 2018 file photo, the President of the Argentina Football Association Claudio Tapia, left, presents a framed team jersey with the number 143 to Argentina's Javier Mascherano prior a friendly soccer match between Argentina and Haiti at the Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP Photo

Published Nov 16, 2020

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BUENOS AIRES - Argentina's most capped player Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement from football, aged 36.

Mascherano, a combative midfielder at River Plate, Corinthians, Liverpool, and Barcelona amongst other clubs, made his surprise announcement after his side Estudiantes lost 1-0 to Argentinos Juniors in a league match on Sunday.

"I lived my profession 100%, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder," he told reporters. "Sometimes you don't choose the end, it happens all by itself."

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 16, 2020

Mascherano enjoyed his most successful spell at Barcelona, where he won 19 titles in eight years, including five La Ligas and two Champions Leagues.

He played 147 times for Argentina, appearing in four World Cup finals. He also won two gold medals with the Argentine Olympics team in 2004 and 2008.

Reuters

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