Sport | Football
Mascherano embraces opportunity
26-year-old midfielder takes pay cut to facilitate transfer to barcelona
- Agencies
- Published: 00:00 September 1, 2010
Barcelona/Madrid: Competing with three world champions for a place in the Barcelona midfield did not deter Javier Mascherano from sealing his move from Liverpool to Barcelona.
The Argentinean midfielder will have to vie for playing time with Spanish trio Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta at the heart of Pep Guardiola's side, after signing a four-year contract with the Spanish champions.
"It would be stupid to think I would come here and be playing every game," Mascherano said at his presentation in the Nou Camp.
"You have to respect the people who are already doing well and who have won everything. In the positions I play in, there are three world champions.
"It will be a honour to be able to learn from them and to grow with them."
Barca's sporting vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said the player had taken a pay cut to help complete the move, and said Mascherano's arrival would be their last of the current transfer window.
The 26-year-old passed a medical earlier in the day before signing his contract, which has a buy-out clause of 90 million euros (Dh419 million). Spanish media reported he moved for around 22 million euros.
Meanwhile, Mascherano paid tribute to the calibre of his new teammates and said that he was determined to earn his place in the squad.
He added: "I'm coming to a team which has in the past few years won everything. It is made up of world champions. I will try to help the team continue winning things.
"In the future I am certain to say that I was a better player for having played in this club."
Fit to play
Barcelona's team doctor Ricard Pruna spoke to Barcelona TV about Mascherano's level of fitness.
"It was an exhaustive medical that lasted around five hours," he explained. "He is in excellent condition and is physically great."
Pruna said that fans should not be concerned about Mascherano missing many matches through injury.
"His cardiovascular level is perfect and he is a player who has had very few injuries," he said.
"In the last five years he has suffered one injury that has left him with problems."
Mascherano has been keen to leave Anfield for several months having almost joined the Spanish champions 12 months ago only for former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to eventually price the player out of a move.
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