Mascherano says 2018 World Cup will be his last

Argentina's Javier Mascherano will retire from international soccer after next year's World Cup finals in Russia, the defender said on Thursday. "My end point is Russia, there's nothing after that," Mascherano told Argentina broadcaster TyC Sports. Argentina beat Ecuador 3-1 on Tuesday to clinch a place in Russia in a must win match for the underperforming side.

Javier Mascherano says he will retire after the 2018 World Cup. He is the second-most capped player in Argentina's history ??? pic.twitter.com/7xTxe8nbh9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2017

The two-times champion reached the final in Brazil three years ago, losing to Germany in extra-time, while they also lost the finals of the 2015 and 2016 Copas America. However they struggled in the qualifiers and needed a hat-trick from Lionel Messi to get them to Russia.

Javier Mascherano on international retirement: "If I get to Russia, that will be the end. I know that for sure." pic.twitter.com/HxGxcQGZNH

— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) October 12, 2017

The 33-year old Barcelona defender, who sometimes plays in midfield, said the opportunity to win a major title for his country was one of his last remaining playing ambitions. "I don't have that many things in my life I still want to do," he said. "Playing in a World Cup and trying to get back to the final is one of them."

Javier Mascherano arrêtera la sélection après le Mondial https://t.co/WbfFcKSg2E pic.twitter.com/6LidG71IPP

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) October 12, 2017