"I saw Umtiti training, I called my agent and told him: 'My spell at Barça is over"

Javier Mascherano spent eight seasons at FC Barcelona. The Argentinian midfielder arrived from Liverpool and won many titles at the Catalan giants. He is a Barca fan and does not forget his time at the Catalan club.

The Argentinian centre-back, now retired from the pitch, spoke to 'Informe+' and did not hesitate to talk about the moment when he knew he had to leave the Catalan giants. And it was because of the arrival of Samuel Umtiti.

"I've had thousands of mistakes in my career, but if there's one thing I've had, it's that I've always been a great team-mate. I saw Umtiti train on the first day, I called my agent and told him: "Walter, my spell at Barca is over, someone who is on a different level has arrived", he said.

Mascherano used to play as a central midfielder, but had to change his role as a centre-back to play for Barca. In fact, the Argentinian knew he wasn't the right profile for the Catalan giants: "I wasn't a player for Pep's style. That was the reality and I knew it".