By Daily Sports on October 13, 2017
Veteran Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said on Thursday he will step down from international duty after the 2018 World Cup.
The versatile Barcelona star, who turns 34 next June, is Argentina's second most-capped player with 139 appearances for his country and played in the 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany.
He is also a four-time runner-up in the Copa America -- finishing on the losing side in 2004, 2007, 2015 and 2016.
"My time in the national team finishes in Russia, I won't go any further," Mascherano told Argentine TV station TyC Sports. "(Coach Jorge) Sampaoli will decide if I should be selected for the World Cup or not."
Mascherano started Tuesday's 3-1 South American qualifying victory in Ecuador that guaranteed Argentina a place at next year's finals in Russia.
He is four caps short of equalling Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti's Argentina record.
He joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 and is under contract at the Camp Nou until 2019. © AFP
•Photo shows Javier Mascherano.
Source Daily Sports
Posted October 13, 2017
You may also like...
Alaves shock fumbling Real Madrid
Valencia Earn First Win, Celta Ease Relegation Fears...
Iheanacho makes history with VAR goal
English FA Cup Tie Abandoned Over Racist Attack...
‘Neymar wants to quit PSG for Real Madrid’...
Conte hopes record run sparks glory
D’Tigress begin US tour with historic Sparks clash
Tinubu congratulates basketball star Anosike on NBL title, MVP award in China
NSC announces UK trials for diaspora athletes
Adams calls for urgent reset in Nigerian football
Playing for Nigeria felt like playing for Real Madrid – Arokodare
Playing for Nigeria felt like playing for Real Madrid – Arokodare
NFF opens talks with Osula over Eagles switch
Brume, Okezie join global stars for Kip Keino Classic
NPFL confirms May 24 season end date
NCF proposes elite cricket league
Trump envoy wants Italy to replace Iran at World Cup — Report
Gala intensify Osimhen’s special recovery plan
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,727 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,051 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,983 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,575 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,503 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,403 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,254 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,800 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,988 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,497 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,912 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,375 views)