“Sneijder produced the moment of magic, Robben ran to cast a spell, but the
number 14 of Argentina broke the spell”
After the night of national tragedy at the Estadio Mineirao, where the
Germans shot 7 times in the Brazilian net, the local and global Brazilian fans
sat down to witness the clash between Argentina and Holland at the Arena
Corinthians – the eyes still swollen and red, heart and mind not working at all
and the limbs had not started to work fully.
There is no secret regarding the rivalries between Brazil and Argentina and
certain always bitterness exists – surely, the Brazilian fans were rooting for
the Dutch – one of the most exciting sides of World Cup 2014 and deserved to
feature in the finals – because neither they wanted to witness Argentina lift
the trophy nor were they excited enough to witness Lionel Messi smile on the
Brazilian soil.
This is the reality of both Brazil and Argentine fans during any major
tournaments, international friendlies, and club competitions – one does not
wish the other to gain the upper-hand, but as the hype and tension start to
fade, the respect for the legends and competent performers always remains high.
The semifinal clash produced a poor quality of football in 90 minutes and
progressed into extra-time.
Late in the extra-time, Wesley Sneijder produced a moment of magic by
scripting a delicate pass outweighing the two Argentine markers – the ball
rolled on the feet of dynamic Arjen Robben, who was not given enough space by
Alejandro Sabella because he kept his full-backs extremely deep.
But that Sneijder delicacy brought the best out from Robben, who,
immediately spilled-opened the Argentine defence and was well poised to break
the deadlock.
But he was followed by the Argentine jersey number 14, who produced one of
the most decisive moments in the history of World Cup – a life-saving tackle
was essayed on the lush green pitch of Arena Corinthians to deny the
free-flowing and threatening run of Robben.
Sneijder produced the moment of magic, Robben ran to cast a spell, but the number
14 of Argentina broke the spell.
That tackle was a reminiscence of that memorable tackle in March 2011 during
the Champions League clash against Arsenal where they had not had a shot on
target when Jack Wilshere put Bendtner one-on-one with Victor Valdes. Score and
Arsenal would go through; Barcelona would be out. Bendtner took a touch, a
little wide, and from nowhere a figure slid past and took the ball from him.
That figure tackled, Arsenal went out.
Similarly, that tackle saved Argentina against Holland and Albiceleste
featured in the finals after a penalty shootout.
Lionel Messi hogged the limelight.
And, everyone forgot the number 14 – Javier Mascherano.
Such has been the life of Mascherano as a footballer.
One can consider himself as one of the unsung warriors of football, who
never gave anything less than 100% to lift the spirits of the limelight
hijackers.
On that night at the Arena Corinthians, Holland engaged Nigel de
Jong to shut down Messi and they were successful. Meanwhile, Lucas Biglia was
always tracked by either Wesley Sneijder or Georginio Wijnaldum, while Javier
Mascherano found space only in deeper positions, close to his center-backs. The
number 14 was not only shielding the Argentina defence, but was playing the
role of a playmaker as well - He played some intelligent balls into Holland’s
left-back position, because Van Gaal’s use of a back three, in combination with
a strict man-marking system, meant Argentina found space in that zone.
The ball was rolled down to Lavezzi, who tried to pressurize, but not quite
effectively.
His constant defensive and creative role from the base of the midfield
proved vital in 2014, where Argentina looked extremely mediocre, but still,
managed to sneak through to the finals, but Mario Gotze denied them from the
ultimate glory.
Back in West ham, Liverpool, and Barcelona; Mascherano remained impactful.
Especially, during his time in Camp Nou, there would always be talk about
Messi, Xavi and Iniesta; but hardly anyone gave Mascherano his due credit. He
had been their center-back, man-marker, defensive and creative midfielder.
The Argentine arrived in Barcelona in the 2010-11 season and was quite a
controversial signing at the time.
The club urgently needed a quality center-back to rest Pique and Carlos
Puyol. Meanwhile, the departure of Rafa Marquez in that summer further
supported this decision to bring in a new defender. Instead of bringing a
player from this position, though, the club signed Mascherano.
During that period, Mascherano was playing as a holding midfielder in
Anfield, and in World Cup 2010, he led Argentina from the same position.
Instead of Marquez’s replacement, he seemed like a substitute for Yaya Toure,
who also departed to Manchester City that summer.
It was a time when Pep Guardiola had revolutionized Barcelona – their
rhythmic display with short but fast passing left the opponents clueless and
thus, the kind of football Mascherano plays, the signing was not welcomed by
many, but few could realize the qualities of this warrior.
In Camp Nou, his impact could be felt in every match. He became one of
Guardiola’s brains in the midfield who had the vision to dictate the game and
step up to marshal the game when the chips were down.
Guardiola said, “I would never ever sell him and I wouldn’t swap him for
anyone. I never expected him to give us as much as he has: his value is
unimaginable. He has been spectacular as a player and a person. Javier
Mascherano is the best signing this club has made in four years.”
Dani Alves said, “Mascherano. He has a spectacular view of football.
Whenever I talk to him, he tells me something new; he notices things you don’t.
He really understands the game.”
Mascherano was like a soldier. Those who love to follow football closely
fell in love with the character of this tough nut from Argentina.
The intensity and grit achieve his goals, the constant fight with himself to
end up becoming an important player. He knew every match was the opportunity to
peak himself up. If he had to sacrifice his physical condition to avoid a goal,
he did it, because for him the play did not end until it was over. His
toughness and physique allowed him to fight against the biggest beasts in
football. He wasn’t afraid, and he could face anyone.
Indeed, he was a warrior – the warrior, which the Albiceleste and Barcelona
always miss.
Note: This article has been posted in Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on Javier Mascherano: The warrior
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
