“The start of the Spanish campaign could hardly have been more gentle for Javier Mascherano, watching from the other half as his Barcelona team-mates ran in seven goals against Levante. But come the end of the season he is likely to be right in the thick of the battle with a crucial role to play. The spotlight inevitably settles on Lionel Messi in Argentina’s quest to win next year’s World Cup. But last week’s friendly win in Italy reinforced the view that, in his own very different way, Mascherano is every bit as important to his team’s chances. The stereotype is of Mascherano the warrior, the little enforcer who stomps through matches at the limit of emotional intensity.” BBC
