Javier Mascherano’s departure from Barcelona came as a shock to many fans of the club. The Argentine defender had been a key player for the Catalan giants since his arrival in 2010 and had won numerous titles during his time at the club.
So why did he leave? Let’s take a closer look.
The Beginning of Mascherano’s Barcelona Career
Mascherano joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and was initially signed as a midfielder. However, due to injuries in the team’s defense, he was often called upon to play as a center-back. He quickly adapted to the position and became an important part of the team’s defensive setup.
During his time at Barça, Mascherano won four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey trophies, and two Champions League titles. He was also an important member of Argentina’s national team, helping them reach the final of the 2014 World Cup.
Declining Playing Time
As Mascherano entered his thirties, his playing time began to decrease. The emergence of young defenders like Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet meant that he was no longer an automatic starter for Barcelona.
Furthermore, injuries began to take their toll on Mascherano. He missed several games due to various ailments and found it increasingly difficult to maintain his high level of performance when he did play.
A New Challenge
In January 2018, Mascherano made the surprise decision to leave Barcelona for Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune. Many fans were disappointed by his departure but understood that he wanted a new challenge.
Mascherano himself stated that he wanted to experience a new culture and challenge himself in a new league. He also acknowledged that he was no longer guaranteed regular playing time at Barcelona and felt that it was time for him to move on.
Final Thoughts
Javier Mascherano’s departure from Barcelona was a bittersweet moment for fans of the club. While they were sad to see him go, they also understood that he wanted a new challenge and that his playing time at Barça was likely to continue decreasing.
Mascherano’s time at Barcelona will always be remembered fondly by fans of the club. He was a key player during one of the most successful periods in the team’s history and will always be regarded as a true legend of the game.
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