Javier Mascherano can't believe he's reached 200 games for Barcelona
Javier Mascherano never imagined he would one day reach 200 games for Barcelona, during the summer of 2010 when he was negotiating his departure from Liverpool to reuinite himself with Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan.
"It was a very long summer because it was in between World Cup years and I remember Rafa started calling me and, frankly, I would have liked to work with him," explained the Argentine.
"So I started to negotiate with Liverpool and also started training, although with my head more outside than inside.
"In the middle of everything appeared Barcelona and my head began to imagine things, that I might go to one of the best clubs in the world, and in a moment at which it was at its best.
"I lived with much anxiety and nervousness. It was not easy because I had to fight a lot, but always with the conviction that I wanted to come."
The converted centre-back swears he never imagined reaching 200 games, because of "the internal and external competition here."
He said: "All the time you're passing tests but it's all the fuits of your labour."
WEMBLEY, THE COMPLETION OF A DREAM
If the "Jefecito" had to pick one of the "many happy moments" he has spent at Barcelona, he would pick the Champions League final at Wembley.
"I was not expecting to play, honestly. I had it in my head and I was surprised a lot when Pep picked his team and I was in it. To win it meant achieving a dream I had lost a few years earlier with Liverpool.
"Coming here has changed me in every way. I did not even know if I could do it or not (play at centre-back) because I always had been seen as a defensive midfielder."
