Editing Javier Mascherano (section)

==Club career==
===River Plate===
Born in [[San Lorenzo, Santa Fe|San Lorenzo]], [[Santa Fe, Argentina|Santa Fe]], Mascherano came through the youth ranks at [[Club Atlético River Plate|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 in Argentine football|2003–04 Clausura championship]]. In the 2004 [[Copa Libertadores]] River reached the semi-final, but lost on penalties to arch-rivals [[Club Atlético Boca Juniors|Boca Juniors]]. Around this time several clubs including [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]],<ref name=Alonso>{{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}}</ref> and [[Deportivo de La Coruña|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 FC|São Paulo]]. After the [[2005 FIFA Confederations Cup|Confederations Cup]] in Germany, Brazilian club [[Sport Club Corinthians Paulista|Corinthians]] acquired Mascherano from River Plate for US$15 million.

===Corinthians===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarin.com/diario/2005/12/30/deportes/d-01116361.htm |title=Argentine players injured |work=[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|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 }}</ref><ref>{{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])</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Corinthians, however, still won the [[2005 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Corinthians were forced to start their [[Copa Libertadores 2006|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 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A|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 FIFA World Cup|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Hours before the summer transfer window of 2006 closed in Europe, however, he joined [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] alongside Tevez for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===West Ham===
Throughout the summer of 2006, Mascherano was linked with top clubs around Europe; he stated he would relish playing in [[La Liga|Spain]] for [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] or [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]. [[Serie A]] side [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] was also interested in him,<ref name=channel4>{{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}}</ref> 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 ownership in association football|third party held their registration]], and also that if a high enough (£112&nbsp;million was touted) offer was received, West Ham would be forced to sell.<ref>{{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}}</ref> (It has since been discovered that Mystere Services and [[Rio Football Services|Global Soccer Agencies]] are the companies that owned Mascherano.)<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 16 January 2007, [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] requested clearance from [[FIFA]] to take Mascherano on loan from West Ham.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="fifa-guardian">{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 27 April, the Premier League issued West Ham a world-record fine of £5.5&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Liverpool===
[[File:Javier Mascherano 2008.jpg|thumb|200px|Mascherano in a training session for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2008]]
On 10 February 2007, [[Liverpool F.C.|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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Mascherano made his debut for Liverpool against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] on 24 February 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=Liverpool 4–0 Sheffield United |work=[[Liverpool F.C.|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}}</ref> 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 F.C.|Arsenal]] on 31 March, Benítez called Mascherano a "monster of a player".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name=Alonso /> 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 [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League Final]] that year against [[A.C. Milan|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 (Athens)|Olympic Stadium]] in [[Athens]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was voted Liverpool's man of the match by the fans on the official Liverpool website.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:JMascherano.JPG|thumb|left|100px|Mascherano playing for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The transfer reportedly cost Liverpool £18.6&nbsp;million,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and covered not only the transfer fee, but also the player's wages for the four-year deal.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 F.C.|Reading]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 29 November 2009, Mascherano claimed the first goal in the 2–0 win against [[Everton F.C.|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In a match against [[Portsmouth F.C.|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Mascherano had the worst disciplinary record of the [[2009–10 Premier League]] season with seven yellow cards and two red.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored his first goal of the season with a bullet of a shot from outside the area in the [[UEFA Europa League]] against [[FC Unirea Urziceni|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

On 27 July 2010, after returning from a break after the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], Mascherano informed new Liverpool manager [[Roy Hodgson]] that he wanted to leave the club.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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]]").<ref>{{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}}</ref> After winning the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final|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."<ref>ITV interview, 28 May 2011</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

Liverpool announced on 27 August that they had agreed a £17.25&nbsp;million transfer fee with Barcelona for the player and had given permission for him to speak with the Spanish club.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

====2008 Old Trafford incident====
In his first game at [[Old Trafford]] against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on 23 March 2008, Mascherano was sent off after collecting two yellow cards.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was initially booked for a late tackle on [[Paul Scholes]], and later dismissed for running towards referee [[Steve Bennett (referee)|Steve Bennett]] to protest a [[Yellow card (sports)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Mascherano admitted the improper conduct charge levelled at him, but appealed the further two-to-three-match suspension.<ref>{{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}}</ref> This appeal was denied by [[The Football Association|the FA]], however,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and Mascherano was also fined £15,000; he demanded that this fine would be paid to a charity.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Barcelona===
[[File:Mascherano 2012.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Mascherano playing for Barcelona in 2012.]]
On 28 August 2010, Mascherano agreed terms on a four-year contract with Barcelona for €24&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> He made his [[2010–11 La Liga|league]] debut on 11 September 2010, starting in a 0–2 home defeat against recently promoted [[Hércules CF|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 F.C.|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 [[Catalonia|Catalan]] giants beating the Gunners 3–1, 4–3 on aggregate.

In his second season, Mascherano played almost exclusively as a [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|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&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 6 June 2015, Mascherano started in the [[2015 UEFA Champions League Final|2015 Champions League final]], as the club won its fifth [[European Champion Clubs' Cup|Champions League title]] by defeating Juventus 3–1 at [[Berlin]]'s [[Olympiastadion (Berlin)|Olympiastadion]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> This made Barcelona the first club in history to win [[Treble (association football)|the treble]] of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup/Champions League twice.<ref name=triple>{{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 }}</ref>

Upon club captain [[Xavi (footballer, born 1980)|Xavi]]'s departure in 2015, Mascherano was named the 4th captain of Barcelona for the [[2015–16 FC Barcelona season|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 26 April 2017, Mascherano scored his first and only goal for Barcelona, a penalty kick in a [[2016–17 La Liga|La Liga]] match against [[Osasuna]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 23 January 2018, Barcelona announced that Mascherano would leave the club after seven and a half seasons.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Hebei China Fortune===
[[File:马斯切拉诺.png|thumb|right|100px|Mascherano playing for [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]] in 2019.]]

On 24 January 2018, [[Chinese Super League]] side [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]] announced the signing of Mascherano for €5.5 million,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> which would be effective 2 days later.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a [[Chinese FA Cup]] match against [[Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C.|Shandong Luneng Taishan]] on 2 May 2018.<ref name=soccerway>{{Soccerway|javier-alejandro-mascherano/113| accessdate=3 May 2018}}</ref>

===Return to Argentina and retirement===
On 23 November 2019, it was announced that Mascherano would be joining Argentine club [[Estudiantes de La Plata|Estudiantes]] in January 2020 on a free transfer.<ref name=":0">{{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 }}</ref> He made his official debut in a [[2019–20 Argentine Primera División|league]] match against [[San Lorenzo de Almagro|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>