Javier Mascherano

Born in San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Mascherano came through the youth ranks at River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, before making his club debut he made his name representing Argentina.

Mascherano won his first silverware when River won the 2003–04 Clausura championship. In the 2004 Copa Libertadores River reached the semi-final, but lost on penalties to arch-rivals Boca Juniors. Around this time several clubs including Real Madrid,{{cite news |last=Northcroft |first=Johnathon |title=Mascherano happy to step out of the shadows |work=The Times |date=8 April 2007 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1626232.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121170847/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1626232.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 November 2008 |access-date=13 November 2008 |location=London}} and Deportivo La Coruña declared an interest in signing Mascherano, but River Plate turned down all offers, saying that none of the interested parties were prepared to pay enough.

2004–05 was not a successful season for River, finishing third in the Apertura Championship and only tenth in the Clausura. In the Copa Libertadores River again lost in the semi-final, this time to São Paulo. After the Confederations Cup in Germany, Brazilian club Corinthians acquired Mascherano from River Plate for US$15 million.

The Brazilian Série A runs from April, so Mascherano joined Corinthians mid-season. After playing only nine games for his new club, in September 2005, Mascherano fractured his left foot, causing him to miss the end of the season. He returned to Argentina to be operated on by the national team doctor and recuperate.{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050928/1/4rtc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218133902/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050928/1/4rtc.html |archive-date=18 December 2005 |title=Injury jinx hits Argentina |publisher=Yahoo! |date=28 September 2005 |access-date=15 March 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/12/30/deportes/d-01116361.htm |title=Argentine players injured |work=Clarín |date=30 December 2005 |access-date=15 March 2007 |language=es |archive-date=10 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410085717/http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/12/30/deportes/d-01116361.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/ESP/Noticia/Arquivo/0,,AA1037225-4276,00.html |title=Operation Ok |work=GloboEsporte.com |date=18 September 2005 |access-date=19 July 2014 |language=pt}} ([https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fgloboesporte.globo.com%2FESP%2FNoticia%2FArquivo%2F0%2C%2CAA1037225-4276%2C00.html&sandbox=1 Translation]){{cite web |url=http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox198210.htm |title=Out for the rest of 2005 |publisher=terra.com |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=15 March 2007 |language=es}} Corinthians, however, still won the Série A title with Mascherano's compatriot, Carlos Tevez, as captain.

In total, Mascherano was out of action for six months, only returning on 5 March 2006.{{cite web|url=http://old.ole.clarin.com/jsp/v4/pagina.jsp?pagId=1145997 |title=Mascherano returns on 5 March |work=Olé |date=21 February 2006 |access-date=15 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014212522/http://old.ole.clarin.com/jsp/v4/pagina.jsp?pagId=1145997 |archive-date=14 October 2007 |language=es |url-status=dead }} Corinthians were forced to start their 2006 Copa Libertadores without Mascherano, but he returned in time for the Round of 16 tie against River Plate, which the Timão lost. The 2006 Brazilian Série A also went badly for Corinthians – at one point, they were even battling relegation. In June, the league was interrupted for the 2006 World Cup.

Although his performances in both Brazil and Germany drew the attention of European clubs, Mascherano stated his desire to remain with Corinthians to help with their relegation battle and postponed any transfer until January at the earliest.{{cite news |title=Argentine star rules out exit |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2385192/argentine-star-rules-out-exit |access-date=4 March 2007 |date=19 July 2014}} Hours before the summer transfer window of 2006 closed in Europe, however, he joined West Ham United alongside Tevez for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11685/2388756/hammers-complete-huge-coup |title=Hammers complete huge coup |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=4 March 2007 |date=19 July 2014}}

Throughout the summer of 2006, Mascherano was linked with top clubs around Europe; he stated he would relish playing in Spain for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Serie A side Juventus was also interested in him,{{cite web |title=Juventus near to Mascherano deal |publisher=Channel 4 |url=http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec27e.html |date=27 December 2006 |access-date=4 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126000005/http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec27e.html |archive-date=26 January 2007}} but he came with Carlos Tevez to West Ham instead. There were many rumours about the surprise nature of Mascherano and Tevez's transfers, primarily regarding Media Sports Investment's interest in buying out the club and whether they truly owned the two players, or whether a third party held their registration, and also that if a high enough (£112 million was touted) offer was received, West Ham would be forced to sell.{{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1862730,00.html |title=Eyebrows raised at deal shrouded in mystery |work=The Guardian |date=1 September 2006 |access-date=28 April 2007 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Kelso}} (It has since been discovered that Mystere Services and Global Soccer Agencies are the companies that owned Mascherano.){{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2067449,00.html |title=Third-party deals that landed West Ham in the mire |work=The Guardian |date=28 April 2007 |access-date=28 April 2007 |location=London |first=Matt |last=Scott}}

Before Mascherano joined, West Ham had won, drew and lost one game each. Upon his arrival, however, the Hammers went into free-fall, losing eight times and drawing once in all competitions before their next win on 29 October. During this time, Mascherano rarely featured in the squad despite their struggles, prompting rumours about financial clauses related to the amount of time he actually played. In October, national team coach Alfio Basile stated that he hoped Mascherano would leave West Ham "as soon as possible" and join Juventus.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/5411702.stm |title=Argentines urged to quit West Ham |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=4 March 2007 |date=5 October 2006}}

On 16 January 2007, Liverpool requested clearance from FIFA to take Mascherano on loan from West Ham.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6267319.stm |title=Liverpool make Mascherano request |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 January 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007 |first=Simon |last=Austin}} FIFA's rules state that no player can play for more than two clubs between 1 July and 30 June the following year, as Mascherano had already played for both Corinthians and West Ham during that time.

FIFA approved the deal on 31 January 2007.{{cite news |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2002639,00.html |title=Liverpool cleared to sign Mascherano |work=The Guardian |date=31 January 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007 |location=London}} However, although Liverpool submitted his registration details before the midnight transfer deadline, the Premier League did not immediately announce whether it would allow Mascherano to play for Liverpool, saying that it wanted to "take time to satisfy itself with the proposed arrangements".{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6316199.stm |title=New twist in Mascherano transfer |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007}}

In a further development, it was announced on 2 March that the Premier League were charging West Ham with breaking rule B13, concerning acting in good faith, and rule U18, which concerns the influence of third-party ownership.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6410753.stm |title=Hammers charged by Premier League |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007}} On 27 April, the Premier League issued West Ham a world-record fine of £5.5 million.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/6594613.stm |title=West Ham handed record £5.5m fine |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2007 |access-date=27 April 2007}}

File:Javier Mascherano 2008.jpg in 2008]]

On 10 February 2007, Liverpool added Mascherano to their UEFA Champions League squad and gave him the number 20 shirt. Eventually, on 20 February 2007, Mascherano's move to Liverpool became official after the Premier League accepted Liverpool's request to register the player at Anfield.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6379977.stm |title=Mascherano free to join Liverpool |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007}}

Mascherano made his debut for Liverpool against Sheffield United on 24 February 2007,{{cite web |title=Liverpool 4–0 Sheffield United |work=LiverpoolFC.tv |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drilldown/MW11235070224-1719.htm |date=26 February 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227111921/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drilldown/MW11235070224-1719.htm |archive-date=27 February 2007}} and was praised by the Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez and team captain Steven Gerrard after Liverpool's 4–0 victory. After playing in a match against Arsenal on 31 March, Benítez called Mascherano a "monster of a player".{{cite news |title=Rafa encouraged by talks |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/2410218/rafa-encouraged-by-talks |publisher=Sky Sports |date=3 April 2007 |access-date=19 July 2014}} Similarly, his teammates were impressed by his talent; Xabi Alonso noted how mature a player he was for his age, saying, "He has a cool mind on the pitch. He is analysing and thinking about the game in each moment." Mascherano's first Champions League appearance came in the quarter-final first leg away to PSV Eindhoven on 3 April. Hastily establishing himself as a starter at the club, Mascherano played in the Champions League Final that year against Milan. He and teammate Alonso were successful in stifling the creative play of both Kaká and Clarence Seedorf for much of the match but Liverpool eventually succumbed to Milan, losing 2–1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.{{cite news |last=McCarra |first=Kevin |title=Brave Liverpool out of luck as Inzaghi inflicts Milan's revenge |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/24/match.sport |access-date=8 November 2008 |location=London}} He was voted Liverpool's man of the match by the fans on the official Liverpool website.{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156047070526-0927.htm |title=Mascherano voted fans star man v Milan |publisher=Liverpool F.C. |date=26 May 2007 |access-date=26 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528070832/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156047070526-0927.htm |archive-date=28 May 2007}}

File:JMascherano.JPG in 2010.]]

Following months of speculation, Mascherano signed a four-year permanent contract with Liverpool on 29 February 2008, ending his association with Media Sports Investments.{{cite news |title=Mascherano signs Liverpool deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7270113.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=29 February 2008}} The transfer reportedly cost Liverpool £18.6 million,{{cite news |title=Liverpool complete £18.6m move for Mascherano |url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2261182,00.html |work=The Guardian |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=29 February 2008 |location=London}} and covered not only the transfer fee, but also the player's wages for the four-year deal.{{cite news |title=Delight for Mascherano, last new signing of Gillett-Hicks nightmare |url=http://www.anfieldroad.com/news/200802292881/delight-for-mascherano-last-new-signing-of-gillett-hicks-nightmare.html/ |work=AnfieldRoad.com |date=29 February 2008 |access-date=29 February 2008 |archive-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303015713/http://www.anfieldroad.com/news/200802292881/delight-for-mascherano-last-new-signing-of-gillett-hicks-nightmare.html/ |url-status=dead }} It was allowed to go through immediately as Mascherano was not contracted to another club, making him exempt from the rules of the transfer window. He scored his first Premier League and Liverpool goal on 15 March 2008, with a 20-yard strike against Reading.{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/2007-2008/mar/635/finalwhistle.htm |title=Masch Sores in Seventh Straight Win |date=15 March 2008 |access-date=19 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419092142/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/2007-2008/mar/635/finalwhistle.htm |archive-date=19 April 2008}}

On 29 November 2009, Mascherano claimed the first goal in the 2–0 win against Everton at Goodison Park when his 30-yard shot appeared to be heading just off target before it took a wicked deflection off Joseph Yobo before finding the net. The goal officially went down as an own goal.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6690820/Javier-Mascherano-claims-Liverpools-opening-goal-against-Everton-as-his-own.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203122357/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6690820/Javier-Mascherano-claims-Liverpools-opening-goal-against-Everton-as-his-own.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2009 |title=Javier Mascherano claims Liverpool's opening goal against Everton as his own |date=30 November 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 December 2009 |location=London}} In a match against Portsmouth on 19 December 2009, Mascherano was sent off for committing a bad foul on Tal Ben Haim. It was later confirmed that the sending off meant a four-match suspension for Mascherano. This was due to this being his second red card of the season, Liverpool went on to lose the match 2–0.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6844307/Portsmouth-2-Liverpool-0-match-report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221210952/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/6844307/Portsmouth-2-Liverpool-0-match-report.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2009 |title=Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 0: match report |date=19 December 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=20 January 2010 |location=London |first=Oliver |last=Brown}} Mascherano had the worst disciplinary record of the 2009–10 Premier League season with seven yellow cards and two red.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/barclays-premier-league/23/statistics/discipline?season=2009 |title=English Premier League – Player Discipline – 2009/2010 – ESPN Soccernet |publisher=ESPN FC |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=19 July 2014}} He scored his first goal of the season with a bullet of a shot from outside the area in the UEFA Europa League against Unirea Urziceni away from home in a match Liverpool won 3–1 to secure their place in the round of 16 of the competition with an aggregate win of 4–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.teamtalk.com/football/report/0,16379,1776_5980947,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301062221/http://www.teamtalk.com/football/report/0%2C16379%2C1776_5980947%2C00.html |archive-date= 1 March 2010 |title=Reds rally to secure last 16 spot |date=25 February 2010 |work=TEAMtalk |access-date=26 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}

On 27 July 2010, after returning from a break after the 2010 World Cup, Mascherano informed new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he wanted to leave the club.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8859685.stm |title=Midfielder Javier Mascherano demands Liverpool exit |date=27 July 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=28 July 2010}} During that break, Hodgson had failed with several attempts to contact Mascherano, able only to leave messages for him saying that he was looking forward to meeting him back on Merseyside as his calls went unreturned.{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809320&cc=5739 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023093523/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809320&cc=5739 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2012 |title=Hodgson stays calm over Mascherano's future |date=19 July 2010 |work=ESPNsoccernet |publisher=ESPN |access-date=28 July 2010}}

Mascherano was held in high esteem by the Liverpool fans, who gave him his own song, (to the tune of the White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army").{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RNS8IojmuE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/5RNS8IojmuE| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title=Javier Mascheranooooooooooo!|last=stevieg5times|date=14 January 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} After winning the 2011 Champions League Final with Barcelona against Manchester United, Mascherano, speaking directly after the match, said, "I want to say, I know that Liverpool supporters, after my exit, I know they were a little bit sad with me—this is for them as well."ITV interview, 28 May 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/masch-that-win-was-for-you |title=Masch: That win was for you |publisher=Liverpool F.C |date=28 May 2011 |access-date=30 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531113417/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/masch-that-win-was-for-you |archive-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Liverpool announced on 27 August that they had agreed a £17.25 million transfer fee with Barcelona for the player and had given permission for him to speak with the Spanish club.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8948564.stm? |title=Reds & Barca agree Mascherano fee |date=27 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 August 2010}}

In his first game at Old Trafford against Manchester United on 23 March 2008, Mascherano was sent off after collecting two yellow cards.{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Bevan |title=Man Utd 3–0 Liverpool |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298257.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 March 2008 |access-date=23 March 2008}} He was initially booked for a late tackle on Paul Scholes, and later dismissed for running towards referee Steve Bennett to protest a yellow card shown to Fernando Torres. Mascherano had to be pushed from the field of play by Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. Rafael Benítez was forced to leave the dugout and plead with Mascherano to leave the field, and he was escorted down the tunnel by Peter Crouch. The Football Association ruled that the usual one-game suspension be increased to three games for improper conduct.{{cite web |title=Mascherano charged with Improper Conduct |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=721988.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329235817/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=721988.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2008 |publisher=FIFA |date=26 March 2008 |access-date=12 April 2008}} Mascherano admitted the improper conduct charge levelled at him, but appealed the further two-to-three-match suspension.{{cite web |title=Mascherano admits improper conduct charge |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=724904.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330194205/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=724904.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 March 2008 |publisher=FIFA |date=28 March 2008 |access-date=12 April 2008}} This appeal was denied by the FA, however,{{cite web |title=Mascherano appeal rejected |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=738483.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413232856/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=738483.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2008 |publisher=FIFA |date=10 April 2008 |access-date=12 April 2008}} and Mascherano was also fined £15,000; he demanded that this fine would be paid to a charity.{{cite web |title=Liverpool appeal Mascherano's extended ban |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=732297.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411113641/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=732297.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2008 |publisher=FIFA |date=4 April 2008 |access-date=12 April 2008}}

With the controversial incident behind him, Mascherano would play a role in Liverpool's 2–1 win over Manchester United at Anfield on 13 September 2008, although he was at fault for failing to cover countryman Carlos Tevez, who scored for United less than three minutes into the game. Mascherano made amends for his mistake, and was instrumental in creating the goal which put Liverpool 2–1 up. Mascherano was voted Man of the Match by the fans on Liverpool's official website.{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/2008-2009/sep/676/finalwhistle.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903045654/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/2008-2009/sep/676/finalwhistle.htm |archive-date=3 September 2009 |title=Babel fires winner as res go top |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=19 March 2008}}

File:Mascherano 2012.jpg

On 28 August 2010, Mascherano agreed terms on a four-year contract with Barcelona for €24 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7969806/Javier-Mascherano-Barcelona-move-a-dream-come-true.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7969806/Javier-Mascherano-Barcelona-move-a-dream-come-true.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Javier Mascherano: Barcelona move a dream come true |date=30 August 2010 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=30 August 2010 |location=London |first=Rory |last=Smith}}{{cbignore}} On 30 August 2010, Mascherano passed his medical to complete his transfer and told Barça TV, "The truth is it's a dream, it's a great joy."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8948564.stm |title=Javier Mascherano completes move to Barcelona |date=30 August 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 August 2010}} He made his league debut on 11 September 2010, starting in a 0–2 home defeat against recently promoted Hércules, marking the first defeat at the Camp Nou in 16 months. Mascherano had a mixed season at the Camp Nou, spending the first half of the season mainly coming off the bench but for the latter part playing out of position in a centre-back role. On 28 May 2011, Mascherano started alongside Gerard Piqué in the 2011 Champions League final against Manchester United at the Wembley Stadium. Barcelona went on to win the game 3–1, with Mascherano dedicating the win to Liverpool fans, some of which he had upset during his move. In the run to the final, Mascherano denied Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner a certain goal with a sliding tackle towards the end of the second leg of the round of 16 match, with the Catalan giants beating the Gunners 3–1, 4–3 on aggregate.

In his second season, Mascherano played almost exclusively as a centre-back, putting in consistent performances starting regularly for Barcelona in defence.

On 26 July 2012, Mascherano signed a contract extension, keeping him with the Blaugrana until 2016. His buyout clause was set at €100 million.{{cite news |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/fc-barcelona-to-renew-mascherano-s-contract-through-2016 |title=FC Barcelona to renew Mascherano's contract through 2016 |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=31 July 2012 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet}} On 7 June 2014, Mascherano signed an extension on his contract, tying him to the Catalan club until 2018 and keeping his buyout clause at €100 million.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2014/06/07/4867693/mascherano-agrees-contract-extension-with-barcelona?CMPID=FBINT%3D140607_MASCHERANO |title=Mascherano agrees contract extension with Barcelona |publisher=Goal |date=7 June 2014 |access-date=7 June 2014}}

On 6 June 2015, Mascherano started in the 2015 Champions League final, as the club won its fifth Champions League title by defeating Juventus 3–1 at Berlin's Olympiastadion.{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0252-0cd2c6a4864d-8c8d00efd1bd-1000--barcelona-see-off-juventus-to-claim-fifth-title/ |title=Barcelona see off Juventus to claim fifth title |date=6 June 2015 |publisher=UEFA}} This made Barcelona the first club in history to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup/Champions League twice.{{cite news |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/barca-make-history-with-second-treble |title=Barça make history with second treble! |date=6 June 2015 |work=FC Barcelona |access-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607120500/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/barca-make-history-with-second-treble |archive-date=7 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Upon club captain Xavi's departure in 2015, Mascherano was named the 4th captain of Barcelona for the 2015-16 season behind Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. On 27 July 2016, Mascherano signed a new contract with Barcelona, which would keep him at the club until 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2016-2017/javier-mascherano-extends-contract-until-2019|title=Javier Mascherano extends contract until 2019|date=27 July 2016|access-date=27 July 2016|publisher=FC Barcelona}}

On 26 April 2017, Mascherano scored his first and only goal for Barcelona, a penalty kick in a La Liga match against Osasuna.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/88/spain/2017/04/26/34969342/mascherano-ends-incredible-scoring-drought-for-barcelona?ICID=HP_BN_8|title=Mascherano ends incredible scoring drought for Barcelona|date=26 April 2017|access-date=27 April 2017|publisher=Goal}}

On 23 January 2018, Barcelona announced that Mascherano would leave the club after seven and a half seasons.{{cite press release|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/video-fc-barcelona-institutional-farewell-to-javier-mascherano|title= Barça to hold an institutional farewell ceremony for Javier Mascherano |date=23 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|publisher=F.C. Barcelona}}

File:马斯切拉诺.png in 2019.]]

On 24 January 2018, Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune announced the signing of Mascherano for €5.5 million,{{cite news|url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-01-24/doc-ifyquptv9245206.shtml|script-title=zh:华夏官方宣布巴萨铁腰加盟 将披14号球衣战中超 |date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|work=Sina Sport|language=zh-cn}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.hebeifootball.com/1288/1297/content_38266.html|script-title=zh:传奇继续！阿根廷功勋队长马斯切拉诺加盟河北华夏幸福|trans-title=Legend continues: Argentine trophies-winning captain Mascherano joins Hebei China Fortune|date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|publisher=Hebei China Fortune F.C.|language=zh-cn|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109153337/http://www.hebeifootball.com/1288/1297/content_38266.html|url-status=dead}} which would be effective 2 days later.{{cite press release|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/agreement-hebei-fortune-signing-mascherano|title= Agreement with Hebei Fortune for the transfer of Javier Mascherano |date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|publisher=F.C. Barcelona}} He scored his first goal for the club in a Chinese FA Cup match against Shandong Luneng Taishan on 2 May 2018.{{Soccerway|javier-alejandro-mascherano/113| accessdate=3 May 2018}}

On 23 November 2019, it was announced that Mascherano would be joining Argentine club Estudiantes in January 2020 on a free transfer.{{cite web |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/11/23/football/1574534359_967549.html |title=Mascherano: former Barça star signs on at Estudiantes |publisher=AS |last1=Lopesino |first1=Juan Antonio |date=23 November 2019 |access-date=24 November 2019 |archive-date=28 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128185842/https://en.as.com/en/2019/11/23/football/1574534359_967549.html |url-status=dead }} He made his official debut in a league match against San Lorenzo on 25 January 2020, which ended in a 1–1 draw.

On 15 November 2020, Mascherano announced his retirement as a professional footballer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54954128 |title=Javier Mascherano: Former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder retires from football |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2020 |access-date=15 November 2020 }}

Mascherano's first international appearance came in 2001. September of that year saw him play on the Argentina team that finished fourth in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. In June 2003, he played at the Toulon Tournament, becoming the competition's best player as Argentina's under-20s finished 3rd.{{cite web |url=https://festival-foot-espoirs.com/en/festival/detail_actualite.php?id=2895 |title=The Toulon Tournament's most memorable moments: 2003, when Cristiano Ronaldo and Javier Mascherano faced each other for the first time |website=Toulon Tournament |access-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212121355/https://festival-foot-espoirs.com/en/festival/detail_actualite.php?id=2895 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |url-status=live}}

Mascherano's impact at youth levels was such that he made his senior international debut before playing a single minute for River Plate's first team (due to his central midfield position at club level being occupied by River's long standing captain Leonardo Astrada, nicknamed the Chief). That international debut came in a friendly against Uruguay on 16 July 2003.{{cite web |title=Argentina player profile – 8 Javier Mascherano |publisher=Yahoo! |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/182372_MASCHERANO_Javier.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312020326/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/182372_MASCHERANO_Javier.html |archive-date=12 March 2007 |access-date=4 March 2007}}

Halfway through the 2003–04 Apertura championship, Mascherano was called up to play in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. Argentina again finished fourth with Mascherano the team's outstanding player.{{cite web |title=Player to Watch: Mascherano making waves in Argentina |publisher=Yahoo! |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/040925/1/296d.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209045257/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/040925/1/296d.html |archive-date=9 February 2007 |date=27 September 2004 |access-date=4 March 2007}} He was however suspended for the third place play-off.

In January 2004, Mascherano joined up with Argentina U23 for the South American Pre-Olímpico tournament in Chile. Argentina won the tournament, thereby qualifying for the 2004 Summer Olympics. In August, Mascherano and the team went on to become gold medal-winners in Greece.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8695/match=37194/index.html |title=Match Report: Argentina – Paraguay |publisher=FIFA |access-date=19 July 2014}}

At the end of the 2003–04 season, Mascherano was included in the Argentina senior squad for the 2004 Copa América. Argentina lost to Brazil on penalties in the final, but Mascherano impressed enough to be voted Argentina's player of the tournament by his teammates.

In the 2006 World Cup, Mascherano played every minute of every match for Argentina, with the team being eliminated by Germany in the quarter-finals.

His first two goals for the senior Argentina team came in July 2007 during the 2007 Copa América. On 5 July, he scored the only goal in Argentina's final group stage match against Paraguay, which saw them finish in first place in their group with nine points.{{cite news|url=http://www.conmebol.com/competiciones_evento_reporte.jsp?evento=1055&ano=2007&dv=1&flt=C&id=18&slangab=E|title=Argentina-Paraguay|author=Conmebol|publisher=Conmebol|date=5 July 2007|access-date=28 May 2009}} On 8 July, he scored a goal in a 4–0 victory over Peru in the quarter-finals.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6282908.stm|title=Argentina and Mexico reach semis|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2007|access-date=11 October 2008}} Argentina went on to reach the final of the tournament, where they suffered a 3–0 defeat to Brazil on 15 July.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/16/sports/soccer/16soccer.html |title=Missing Some Stars, Brazil Wins Copa América |newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=12 August 2015 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6899694.stm|title=Brazil victorious in Copa America|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2007|access-date=28 May 2009}} Mascherano's outstanding performance at the tournament saw him widely selected as the best Argentine player in a squad full of stars.{{cite web|url=http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2007/07/12/01455627.html|title=Jefe y patrón|publisher=ole.clarin.com|language=es|date=12 July 2007|access-date=12 July 2007|archive-date=13 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113110732/http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2007/07/12/01455627.html|url-status=dead}}

On 8 June 2008, Mascherano received his first red card for the national team after receiving two yellow cards in a match against the United States. He was sent off in the 86th minute of the match, which finished 0–0.{{cite web |url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/58/u-s-men-draw-0-0-in-epic-contest-with-argentina-in-final-match-at-giants-stadium|title=U.S. Men Draw 0–0 in Epic Contest With Argentina in Final Match at Giants Stadium|website=ussoccer.com|publisher=U.S. Soccer|date=17 March 2014|access-date=5 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619053613/https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/58/u-s-men-draw-0-0-in-epic-contest-with-argentina-in-final-match-at-giants-stadium|archive-date=19 June 2014}}

Later that year, Mascherano was selected to represent Argentina under-23 squad at 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing as an overage player. He was thrilled at the call-up, saying, "It's important for any athlete to defend the gold medal. I might be the only person from my country ever to do it and I'll go down in history."{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/mixed-fortunes-for-reds-at-olympics |title=Mixed fortunes for Reds at Olympics - Liverpool FC |access-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726185920/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/mixed-fortunes-for-reds-at-olympics |archive-date=26 July 2014 }} Argentina won the tournament, making Mascherano the first Argentine sportsman ever to win two Olympic gold medals.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/beijing2008/news/newsid=861016/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402101441/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/beijing2008/news/newsid=861016/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2013 |title=Golden moment for Argentina |publisher=FIFA |date=23 August 2008 |access-date=19 July 2014}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250025/match=300051812/summary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725125236/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/beijing2008/matches/round=250025/match=300051812/summary.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 July 2015 |title=Angel delivers Argentina gold |publisher=FIFA |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=26 June 2010}}

Soon after being appointed head coach of Argentina in November 2008, Diego Maradona announced that he wanted Mascherano to be the team's captain. "I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt – sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," Maradona said. "I will convince him. He will be my captain."{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7701071.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Maradona named as Argentina coach |date=4 November 2008 |access-date=6 May 2010}}

Mascherano was appointed the new Argentina captain on 10 November, replacing Javier Zanetti.{{cite news |title=Masch accepts Argentine armband |publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 November 2008 |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4483339,00.html |access-date=11 November 2008}} At the 2010 World Cup, Argentina was captained by Messi, who became Argentina's youngest World Cup captain and reached the quarter-finals where they were again eliminated by Germany, 4–0.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_59/default.stm |title=Argentina 0–4 Germany |date=3 July 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |first=Chris |last=Bevan |access-date=28 July 2010}} He only missed the last match of the group stage against Greece.

File:Argentine - Portugal - Javier Mascherano.jpg in 2011.]]

Mascherano captained Argentina during the 2011 Copa América on home soil, but the team were defeated by Uruguay at the quarter-final stage.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28275448 |title=World Cup 2014: Argentina rescued by Javier Mascherano |date=12 July 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014 |publisher=BBC}} In August 2011, Mascherano was replaced as Argentina captain by Lionel Messi, who was appointed to the role by new manager Alejandro Sabella.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/950982/alejandro-sabella-names-lionel-messi-as-argentina-captain |title=Messi named Argentina captain |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=12 July 2014 |publisher=ESPN}} Mascherano became vice-captain in the national squad.{{cite web|date=11 July 2014|title=World Cup: Javier Mascherano suffered a painful injury to keep Argentina's dreams alive|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/9378600/world-cup-javier-mascherano-suffered-a-painful-and-highly-embarrassing-injury-to-keep-argentinas-world-cup-dreams-alive|access-date=13 July 2014|publisher=Sky Sports}}

File:Germany and Argentina face off in the final of the World Cup 2014 -2014-07-13 (16).jpg's Christoph Kramer in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final.]]

In the 2014 World Cup, Mascherano played his 100th international match for Argentina in a match against Iran, which la Albiceleste won 1–0.{{cite news |url=http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/162676/mascherano-takes-part-in-his-100th-game-with-the-national-team |title=Mascherano takes part in his 100th game with the national team |date=21 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014 |work=Buenos Aires Herald}} During the tournament, Messi wore the captain's armband and commentators often described the team as Messi plus ten other players, however Mascherano was the squad's de facto leader and midfield general.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/football/worldcup2014/fwc-topstories/messi-the-star-but-mascherano-the-beating-heart-of-the-albiceleste/sp-article10-1238730.aspx |title=World Cup 2014 : Messi the star, but Mascherano the beating heart of the Albiceleste |first=Siladitya |last=Ray |work=Hindustan Times|date=10 July 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014 |archive-date=13 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713022939/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/football/worldcup2014/fwc-topstories/messi-the-star-but-mascherano-the-beating-heart-of-the-albiceleste/sp-article10-1238730.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=midfield-general-mascherano-makes-dream-reality-2403346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711155540/http://www.fifa.com//worldcup/news/y=2014/m=7/news=midfield-general-mascherano-makes-dream-reality-2403346.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2014 |title=Midfield general Mascherano makes dream reality |publisher=FIFA |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014}} Mascherano asserted himself vocally, especially during the knockout rounds, where the media described him as Argentina's best player after Messi's prolific scoring stagnated after the group stage.{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/argentina-enter-world-cup-final-javier-mascherano-unquestioned-leader-071114 |title=Argentina enters final with Mascherano as its unquestioned leader |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson |work=Fox Sports |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014}} During Argentina's World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands, Mascherano was knocked unconscious by a header contested by Georginio Wijnaldum and was led off the pitch with a suspected concussion, although he resumed play moments later. In stoppage time, Mascherano tore his anus making a goal-saving slide tackle on Arjen Robben.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/javier-mascherano-reveals-he-tore-his-anus-in-heroic-matchsaving-tackle-on-arjen-robben-9599527.html |title=Javier Mascherano reveals he 'tore his anus' in heroic match-saving tackle on Arjen Robben |first=James |last=Orr |work=The Independent|date=11 July 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014}} Argentina would go on to advance to the final in a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Sergio Romero saving kicks from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder. Thanks to Mascherano's prowess as a defensive midfielder and leader, Argentina entered the final having not conceded a goal in 330 minutes during elimination games, as well as never having trailed in the tournament.{{cite web |url=http://www.thescore.ie/schweinsteiger-pays-tribute-leader-of-pack-mascherano-1568203-Jul2014/ |title=Schweinsteiger pays tribute to 'leader of the pack' Mascherano |first=Mikey |last=Stafford |publisher=thescore.ie |date=12 July 2014 |access-date=19 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728195124/http://www.thescore.ie/schweinsteiger-pays-tribute-leader-of-pack-mascherano-1568203-Jul2014/ |archive-date=28 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}

On 11 July, Mascherano was named on the ten-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28274011 |title=World Cup 2014: Fifa announces Golden Ball shortlist |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014 |publisher=BBC}} He recorded the most tackles of any player at the tournament (30) and the third-most passes (576 at a success rate of 89%), playing in every minute of Argentina's campaign.{{cite web |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/world-cup/stats/ |title=World Cup Brazil 2014 Football Statistics |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=19 July 2014}} In the Final, Argentina lost 1–0 to Germany after extra time, with Mario Götze scoring in the 113th minute.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/worldcup/germany-vs-argentina-world-cup-2014-final-mascherano-in-immense-pain-9603747.html|title=Mascherano in 'immense pain'|website=The Independent|location=London|date=14 July 2014}}

File:Rus-Arg 2017 (4).jpg

In May 2018, Mascherano was named in Jorge Sampaoli's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/argentina-world-cup-squad-paulo-dybala-mauro-icardi-a8362096.html |title=Argentina World Cup squad: Paulo Dybala included but Mauro Icardi misses out on 23-man group for Russia |work=The Independent |date=21 May 2018 |access-date=17 June 2018 }} He earned his 143rd cap in a 4–0 friendly win against Haiti on 29 May 2018, equaling Javier Zanetti's record for the most appearances for Argentina.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/30/pre-world-cup-international-friendlies-roundup |title=Lionel Messi hits hat-trick in win over Haiti, Scotland lose to Peru |work=The Guardian |date=30 May 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 }} His 144th cap came in Argentina's opening match at the World Cup, a 1–1 draw against Iceland on 16 June 2018, thus becoming the sole most capped player in the country's history.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/mascheranos-144th-appearance-sees-him-overtake-zanetti-as/1oo4r7yp9jv6p1gn8q372wtr07 |title=Mascherano's 144th appearance sees him overtake Zanetti as Argentina's most-capped player |publisher=Goal |date=16 June 2018 |access-date=16 June 2018 }}

File:FRA-ARG (12).jpg.]]

On 30 June 2018, following Argentina's elimination from the World Cup after a 4–3 loss against France in the Round of 16, Mascherano announced his retirement from international football, having obtained 147 caps and scored 3 goals for his country.{{cite web |url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/mundial-2018/javier-mascherano-hora-decir-adios_0_Sk_aoXBfX.html |title=Javier Mascherano: "Es hora de decir adiós" |trans-title=Javier Mascherano: "It's time to say goodbye"|publisher=Clarín |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=30 June 2018 |language= es}}

In December 2021, Mascherano was named manager of the Argentina under-20 team, taking over the side in early January.{{cite web |url=https://mscfootball.com/2021/12/javier-mascherano-named-new-coach-of-argentina-under-20-team/ |title=Javier Mascherano Named New Coach of Argentina Under-20 Team - MSC FOOTBALL |date=10 December 2021 |access-date=24 December 2021 |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206022545/https://mscfootball.com/2021/12/javier-mascherano-named-new-coach-of-argentina-under-20-team/ |url-status=dead }} He led the national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics, where Argentina was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

On 26 November 2024, Major League Soccer side Inter Miami appointed Mascherano as their new head coach.{{cite web|url=https://www.intermiamicf.com/news/inter-miami-cf-appoints-javier-mascherano-as-head-coach|title=Inter Miami CF Appoints Javier Mascherano as Head Coach|publisher=Inter Miami CF|date=26 November 2024}}

Nicknamed "El Jefecito" ("The Little Chief"),{{cite web |url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/04/23/deportes/d-06601.htm |title=Tevez-Mascherano: "Enfrentar a River, para nosotros es algo distinto" |date=23 April 2006 |publisher=Clarín |access-date=28 April 2007 |language=es |archive-date=14 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014212454/http://www.clarin.com/diario/2006/04/23/deportes/d-06601.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Player profile – Javier Mascherano |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/player.aspx?plid=40672&clid=632 |access-date=4 March 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Mascherano was a versatile, hard-working, and tactically intelligent footballer, with an excellent ability to read the game and organise his team; he was known in particular for his leadership skills, passing accuracy, energy, positional sense, tough marking of opponents, and hard-tackling style of play, despite his relatively small physical stature. Considered as one of the best defenders and defensive midfielders of his generation, although he has primarily served as either a holding midfielder or central defender throughout his career, he has also been deployed as a right-back or even as a box-to-box or central midfielder on occasion.{{cite web |url=http://www.totalbarca.com/2015/news/capitan-sin-brazalete-captain-without-the-armband/ |title=Capitán sin brazalete (captain without the armband) |work=totalbarca |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722152116/http://www.totalbarca.com/2015/news/capitan-sin-brazalete-captain-without-the-armband/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.totalbarca.com/2015/news/capitan-sin-brazalete-captain-without-the-armband/ |title=Javier Mascherano proving to be Argentina's real leader |newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722152116/http://www.totalbarca.com/2015/news/capitan-sin-brazalete-captain-without-the-armband/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/worldcup/argentinas-javier-mascherano-a-leader-without-fuss/2187559/ |title=Argentina's Javier Mascherano a leader without fuss |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=23 July 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://backpagefootball.com/javier-mascherano-last-great-argentine-hero/91449/ |title=Javier Mascherano – the last great Argentine hero |work=backpagefootball |date=22 February 2015 |access-date=23 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/copa-america/83/blog/post/2899533/javier-mascherano-deserves-to-win-copa-america-with-argentina|title=Javier Mascherano deserves to win Copa America with Argentina|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=Tim Vickery|date=22 June 2016|access-date=16 July 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/723987/camp-nou-says-goodbye-to-javier-mascherano |title=Camp Nou says goodbye to Javier Mascherano |publisher=fcbarcelona.com |date=25 January 2018 |access-date=7 January 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/how-javier-mascherano-defied-size-remain-barcelonas-immovable-force-back |title=How Javier Mascherano defied size to remain Barcelona's immovable force at the back |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Wilkes |first1=Paul |date=4 April 2016 |access-date=7 January 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/446574-la-liga-why-javier-mascherano-will-be-a-barcelona-success-story |title=La Liga: Why Javier Mascherano Will Be a Barcelona Success Story |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Farah |first1=Yoosof |date=30 August 2010 |access-date=17 May 2020 }} Regarding Mascherano's playing style, Jonathan Wilson noted in a 2013 article for The Guardian that the Argentine was an example of a type of holding midfielder that he dubbed a destroyer, who "clattered about making tackles and collecting bookings, his role almost entirely of regaining possession and distributing it simply."{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/dec/18/question-holding-midfielders-changing-role|title=The Question: what does the changing role of holding midfielders tell us?|last=Wilson|first=Jonathan|author-link=Jonathan Wilson (writer)|date=18 December 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 October 2014}}

In October 2015, Mascherano admitted two counts of fraud totalling just over €1.5 million having failed to declare €1.5 million in earnings in 2011 and 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34667152 |title=Javier Mascherano admits tax fraud charges |publisher=BBC News |date=29 October 2015 |access-date=21 January 2016}}{{Cite web|date=2015-10-29|title=Mascherano admits to unpaid Spain taxes|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37440594/barcelona-javier-mascherano-admits-unpaid-taxes-spain|access-date=2020-11-22|publisher=ESPN}} In January 2016, he appeared in court in an attempt to avoid imprisonment for the offences, and was fined €800,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35371872 |title=Javier Mascherano: Barcelona player in court to avoid prison term |publisher=BBC News |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2016}}{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Richard|date=21 January 2016|title=Javier Mascherano insists he is 'an honest and responsible person' despite tax sentence|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/12113521/Javier-Mascherano-insists-he-is-an-honest-and-responsible-person-despite-tax-sentence.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/barcelona/12113521/Javier-Mascherano-insists-he-is-an-honest-and-responsible-person-despite-tax-sentence.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-22|website=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web|date=21 January 2016|title=Javier Mascherano expected to avoid prison sentence for tax fraud|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11833/10138389/javier-mascherano-given-year-in-prison-for-tax-fraud|access-date=2020-11-23|publisher=Sky Sports}} He was sentenced to one year in prison for evasion of tax payments.{{cite web|last=Malyon|first=Ed|date=22 January 2016|title=Watch the moment Javier Mascherano is sentenced to one year in prison|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/watch-moment-javier-mascherano-sentenced-7224250|access-date=24 January 2016|website=Mirror Football}} The sentence was suspended and resulted in no jail time served, provided he does not offend again during the suspended sentence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/neymar-jail-prison-sentence-two-years-barcelona-news-transfer-corruption-a7433976.html|title=Neymar faces two-year prison sentence|date=23 November 2016|work=The Independent|access-date=26 April 2017}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/40380/javier-mascherano|title=Javier Mascherano Player Profile – ESPN FC}}

{{notelist}}

{{NFT player|id=331|accessdate=}}

International goals

{{updated|match played 19 April 2025}}

River Plate

• Argentine Primera División: 2003–04 Clausura

Corinthians

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2005

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18
• Copa del Rey: 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
• Supercopa de España: 2011, 2013, 2016
• UEFA Champions League: 2010–11, 2014–15
• UEFA Super Cup: 2011, 2015
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2011, 2015

Argentina U20

• South American Youth Championship: 2003

Argentina U23

• Olympic gold medal: 2004, 2008
• CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament: 2004

Argentina

• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2014
• Copa América runner-up: 2004, 2007, 2015, 2016

Individual

• Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2007, 2011,{{Cite web |date=8 June 2015 |title=Así fue el equipo ideal de la Copa América 2011: ¿cuál será el del 2015? |url=http://www.ca2015.com/es/gallery/asi-fue-el-equipo-ideal-de-la-copa-america-2011-cual-sera-el-del-2015/1tb430wawjyie1hqs6ag4lvsle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611002057/http://www.ca2015.com/es/gallery/asi-fue-el-equipo-ideal-de-la-copa-america-2011-cual-sera-el-del-2015/1tb430wawjyie1hqs6ag4lvsle |archive-date=11 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015 |website=2015 Copa América |language=es}} 2015,{{cite web |url=http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/copa-america-2015---team-of-the-tournament/1nqqmzngdosa911z9l2g8k8317/slide/8 |title=Copa América 2015 – Team of the tournament |access-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901233104/http://www.ca2015.com/en/gallery/copa-america-2015---team-of-the-tournament/1nqqmzngdosa911z9l2g8k8317/slide/8 |archive-date=1 September 2015 }} 2016{{cite web |title=Copa América 2016: Awards |publisher=Copa America Organisation |date=27 June 2016 |url=http://www.ca2016.com/awards |access-date=27 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627172846/http://www.ca2016.com/awards |archive-date=27 June 2016 }}
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2014–15{{cite web |title=UEFA Champions League squad of the season |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0d802a501f23-68765bf409b3-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |publisher=UEFA |date=9 June 2015 |access-date=9 June 2015}}
• FC Barcelona Player of the Season (Trofeo Aldo Rovira): 2013–14{{cite news |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/mascherano-wins-memorial-aldo-rovira-award |title=Mascherano wins 2013/14 player of the year award |date=29 October 2014 |access-date=19 March 2015}}
• FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 3rd team: 2015{{cite web |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/2015-world-xi-the-reserve-teams-2/en/ |title=2015 World XI: the Reserve Teams – FIFPro World Players' Union |publisher=FIFPro.org |date=11 January 2016 |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409090125/https://fifpro.org/news/2015-world-xi-the-reserve-teams-2/en/ |archive-date=9 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}
• FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 4th team: 2014{{cite web |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/fifa-fifpro-world-xi-the-reserve-teams/en/ |title=FIFA FIFPro World XI: the reserve teams – FIFPro World Players' Union |publisher=FIFPro.org |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414193942/https://fifpro.org/news/fifa-fifpro-world-xi-the-reserve-teams/en/ |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}
• FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 5th team: 2016, 2017{{cite web |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/2016-world-11-the-reserve-teams/en/ |title=2016 World 11: the reserve teams – FIFPro World Players' Union |publisher=FIFPro.org |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409090134/https://fifpro.org/news/2016-world-11-the-reserve-teams/en/ |archive-date=9 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifpro.org/news/2016-2017-world-11-the-reserve-teams/en/ |title=2016–2017 World 11: the Reserve Teams – FIFPro World Players' Union |publisher=FIFPro.org |date=23 October 2017 |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406020741/https://fifpro.org/news/2016-2017-world-11-the-reserve-teams/en/ |archive-date=6 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}
• Toulon Tournament Best Player: 2003{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablest/toulon.html |title=Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon – Official Player Awards |date=5 January 2014 |access-date=10 March 2015}}
• South American Team of the Year: 2004, 2005{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |title=South American Team of the Year |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=10 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121064015/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |archive-date=21 January 2015 }}
• IFFHS CONMEBOL team of the decade 2011–2020{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/index.php/posts/921 |title=IFFHS MAN TEAM - CONMEBOL - OF THE DECADE 2011-2020 |work=IFFHS |date=26 January 2021 }}

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/javier-mascherano Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
• {{BDFutbol}}
• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{GSA player | id = javier-mascherano/25| name = Javier Mascherano }}

{{Inter Miami CF squad}}

{{Major League Soccer head coaches}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mascherano, Javier}}

Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:Argentine sportspeople of Italian descent

Category:People from San Lorenzo Department

Category:Argentine men's footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Men's association football central defenders

Category:Men's association football utility players

Category:Club Atlético River Plate footballers

Category:Sport Club Corinthians Paulista players

Category:West Ham United F.C. players

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Category:Argentina men's international footballers

Category:2004 Copa América players

Category:Footballers at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players

Category:2007 Copa América players

Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players

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Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players

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Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic gold medalists for Argentina

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Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Brazil

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

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Category:Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Brazil

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Category:Argentine fraudsters

Category:Argentine people of Italian descent

Category:Footballers from Santa Fe Province

Category:Argentina national under-20 football team managers

Category:Argentine sportspeople convicted of crimes

Category:Coaches at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen

Category:Inter Miami CF head coaches