'Neymar left a very large void'

The 33-year-old Barcelona defender always gives an interview to 'ESPN' during the international breaks. This time, the Argentinian answered questions which were to do with the surprise exit of Neymar, the way he influenced play and the short term future of Barcelona, as well as his own future.

"When a type of player like Neymar leaves, it leaves a very large void for the importance things he brought to the game, amongst other things," the veteran defender said

"We had to change the way we play, using another system. Dembele came in, but he couldn't demonstrate anything because of the injury he suffered almost instantly.

"It was a big blow, we didn't expect it. But we have the obligation to recompose ourselves and not use it as an excuse," he added.

Mascherano made it clear that he wants to be in Russia, but his career with the Argentina national team is coming to an end.

"I feel that I'm good enough to be in Russia. In the group we all have to arrive knowing exactly what we need to do. On top of the names in the group and the different systems we can play, we need to arrive with certainty and grow into the tournament game by game.

"You can't see the best aspects of the team in the first game. I finish in Russia or here, now, if I don't go to the World Cup.

"I'll do what the coach says, but by time with the national side is almost over. It's clear for me. You have to wind down in stages and it's already starting to end for me," the centre-back admitted.

He also gave his view on the political situation in Catalonia:

"We live alongside many people who are from there, not just from the club, from outside the dressing room, friends, who are all Catalan. You'd like there to be a dialogue between Catalonia and the government so there can be a base where both sides can make progress," he concluded.