The LITTLE chief who could stop ANYONE! Javier Mascherano was not the biggest defender on the pitch, but he was one of the most FEROCIOUS. The Argentine started as a defensive midfielder and converted to centre-back at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola. His tackle on Robben in the 2014 World Cup Final is one of the greatest tackles EVER!
Career Highlights
- Made the iconic last-ditch tackle on Arjen Robben in the 2014 World Cup Final — saving Argentina from conceding
- Won 5 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League trophies with Barcelona playing as centre-back
- Successfully converted from defensive midfielder to centre-back under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona
- Earned 147 caps for Argentina — one of the most capped Argentine players in history
- His ability to read the game and his passing from the back made him perfect for Barcelona's tiki-taka system
The Verdict
Mascherano proved that you don't need to be 6 feet tall to be a world-class centre-back. His intelligence, aggression, and determination made him indispensable at Barcelona and Argentina. That tackle on Robben in the World Cup Final alone makes him a LEGEND!
Tomorrow: #15 — Stay tuned for the next defensive legend!
