Liverpool FC player profile - Javier Mascherano

Javier Alejandro Mascherano, better known as Javier Mascherano Liverpool FC and Argentina footballer, was born on 8th June 1984 in San Lorenzo, Argentina. Javier Mascherano started his footballing career with the Argentine league side River Plate where he played as a youth, he also played for the national team and unusually debuted for his country at a senior level before his club. Javier Mascherano first stepped out in Argentina's colours as a senior player in July 2003, in a friendly against Uruguay, whereas his league debut only came the following month. In his two years at River Plate Javier Mascherano made 46 appearances and, although the club didn't win any trophies, he impressed Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruna who were among a number of clubs who showed interest in him. In 2004 Javier Mascherano was a member of the Argentine national squad who won the gold medal at the Athens 2004 Summer Olmpics.

Javier Mascherano left River Plate in 2005 and joined Brazilian club Corinthians however the season was only a quarter of the way through when he suffered a stress fracture to his foot which sidelined him for six months. On his return Javier Mascherano rejoined his club in the middle of a relegation battle, this was then put on hold while the national side travelled to Europe to contest the Germany 2006 World Cup finals where Javier Mascherano appeared in each of Argentina's matches. Once the tournament was over Javier Mascherano, who had been keen to play in the Spanish La Liga, was involved in a shock transfer, along with his compatriot Carlos Tevez, to Premier League side West Ham United. The deal struck with West Ham United was a mystery and rumours over the players ownership and contractual clauses were rife, particularly as Javier Mascherano only made five appearances in the five months he was with the club. The dubious nature of the move of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham United resulted in a fine of £5.5 million being imposed on the Premier League club for breaking it's rules concerning acting in good faith and third party ownership.

In the meantime Javier Mascherano joined Liverpool FC in January 2007 making his debut the following month in a match against Sheffield United. Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benitez was impressed with Javier Mascherano who scored his first goal for the club against Reading in March 2007, made his Champions League debut a month later in April 2007 against PSV Eindhoven and went on to play in the Champions League final that same season, which Liverpool FC lost 2-1 against AC Milan.