Former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano has admitted that the end of his time playing for Spanish giants Barcelona is near.
The Argentina international was on the books of the Reds between 2007 and 2010 before he left to join Barcelona with whom he has won four League titles as well as four Copa del Rey’s and two Champions Leagues.
Though the 33 year old is contracted to Barcelona till 2019, he is expected to leave the club at the end of the current season as he does not appear to be part of Ernesto Valverde’s future plans for the club. He has so far only started five La Liga games this season.
“I think that my stage here is ending,” Mascherano said. “It makes sense that after such a long time there’s not much more I can do in this club. I’m not saying it with a heavy heart. I’ve had the best years of my career in this club. I’ll never forget it.
“I’m one of those people that thinks that you have to know when is the right time to end a stage. I would like to close mine (at Barcelona) on the right time but it doesn’t really depend on me.
“I am predisposed to close it on time because when I left Liverpool it wasn’t good for me, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t like having the feeling that I could go back to Liverpool and there was still something toxic there. And I don’t want the same thing to happen to me at Barcelona.”
