Spanish media have reported that Mascherano will link up with compatriot Ezequiel Lavezzi at Chinese side Hebei China Fortune, who are coached by former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini. “Javier Mascherano is leaving FC Barcelona after seven and a half seasons. The Argentinian will be receiving an institutional farewell from the club on Wednesday,” Barcelona said in a statement.Two-time #UCL winner Javier Mascherano will leave Barcelona after seven and a half seasons. ??? pic.twitter.com/t6iRFzjpkM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 23, 2018
“The club president, Josep Maria Bartomeu and the first team squad will be present. The player will say goodbye to the fans on the pitch ahead of the club’s King’s Cup tie against Espanyol on Thursday.” Mascherano, 33, joined Barca from Liverpool in 2010 for a reported fee of 22m euros ($27m) and was immediately converted by coach Pep Guardiola from a holding midfielder into a centre back, frequently deputising for injury-plagued former captain Carles Puyol.#ThankYouMasche... for everything! ??@Mascherano ? pic.twitter.com/XsSkKh8gYK
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 23, 2018
His departure also frees up the number 14 jersey made famous by Dutch great Johan Cruyff. Spanish media have reported that new arrival Philippe Coutinho - who signed for a club record 142m pounds ($199m) earlier this month - will be given the prestigious squad number.??x #ClubWC??x @ChampionsLeague??x UEFA Super Cup ????x @LaLigaEN????x Copa del Rey ???x Spanish Super Cup Quite the 7.5 years for @Mascherano with @FCBarcelona! ??? pic.twitter.com/3cVFG7CvNW
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) January 23, 2018