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Akan Anwankwo
– Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement from football after 17 active years in the game
– The 36-year-old played for top clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, River Plate and the likes
– The Argentine legend won five La Liga trophies, two Champions League crowns at Camp Nou
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Javier Mascherano has finally hung his boots from football after his illustrious 17-year career across South America and Europe.
The Argentine defender enjoyed his most successful spell at club level with Barcelona where he won five La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns during his eight-year spell at Camp Nou.
Mascherano’s move to Europe had a shaky start after spending a short spell with West Ham and after helping the Hammers from relegation, he earned a move to Liverpool the following season.
Barcelona legend bids emotional farewell to to football after unforgettable memories in his career.
Photo by Gustavo Garello
Source: Getty Images
The 36-year-old returned to his native country’s club Estudiantes after a few seasons with Chinese Super Lig side Hebei China Fortune.
Despite still being contracted to the club until the summer of 2021, Mascherano announced his retirement from the round leather game.
The former River Plate and Corinthians star made an official statement about his retirement during a press conference.
“It is time to finish my career because of things that happened to me in recent months, that on a personal level and after having thought about it for all this time, the most correct thing is to finish today.
“I have lived my profession 100 per cent, I gave the best I could and today I find that it has been difficult for me for a while.
“Post pandemic, I thought that I was going to feel the spark again, but the truth is that I could not. Out of respect for everyone, it is time to step aside and end this race. I didn’t want to let time go by.
“I am infinitely grateful to the clubs I played for, the team-mates I had throughout my career.
“I thank [coach Leandro] Desabato, the institution and my colleagues for having put up with me this last time.”
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Diego Maradona has finally left the hospital after a successful brain surgery that left him hospitalised for more than a week.
It was gathered that Maradona had a blood clot on the brain prompting an emergency operation on the brain.
According to SunSport, the Argentine legend left Olivos Clinic in an ambulance on Wednesday evening, November 11.
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