Javier Mascherano retires from international football after World Cup exit

Javier Mascherano confirmed his retirement from international football after Argentina crushed out of the World Cup following a 3-4 defeat against France in the pre-quarterfinal on Saturday.

One of Argentina’s midfield mainstay, Mascherano played full 90 minutes in each of the four games in the tournament but could not inspire his side to overcome an exuberant and young French team as Kylian Mbappe ran riot, scoring two goals in the space of four minutes to send Argentina home.

“This story comes to an end. We gave everything until the final [whistle]. Now I’m just another fan of the Argentina team. Hopefully in the future these kids will be able to accomplish something,” said the 34-year-old after the match.

“It was a crazy match, in which we didn’t start well but we recovered and we turned it around. But their tying goal did so much damage to us,” he added.

“It cost us so much to lift ourselves up again. From this point on I will be just another fan of the Argentina national team. It is over. The illusion is shattered.”

World Cup 2018: France kick Argentina out with a 4-3 win

The 3-4 defeat to France marked his 147th appearance for the national team, which is an Argentina record. He was such a prodigious talent that he had already made his debut for ‘La Albiceleste’ even before he could start playing for club River Plate. He represents Argentina in four World Cups after making debut in 2003.

Nicknamed ‘El Jefecito’ (Little Chief), the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder has scored three times for Argentina and was part of the 2004 and 2008 Olympic gold winning teams. Although he faisle to win any major tournament in his national colors, Mascherano was still part of the team that lost 0-1 to Germany in the World Cup final four-years ago. He also po picked up four runner-up medals in the Copa America.

Meanwhile, reserve midfielder Luca Biglia also announced his retirement after failinhbtonbreak into the national team following the 1-1 draw against Iceland. “I am going to step aside. I’ve realized there’s no place for me any longer,” he said.

Biglia made 57 appearances for Argentina, scoring one goal, since making his debut in a 2011 friendly against Portugal.