Former Barcelona and Liverpool player Javier Mascherano has been given a new coaching duty as he was appointed to take charge of the Argentina Under-20 team. He will begin his work with them from January 2022, which is next year. The 37-year-old, who won 147 caps for Argentina and served as his country’s captain, will replace Fernando Batista.
Mascherano called time on his playing career in 2020, having last played for Estudiantes. Mascherano was a versatile defensive player. He won five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in eight years at Barcelona before leaving the club to China, where he completed his career. He started his career with River Plate and moved to West Ham in 2006 following a spell with Corinthians.
He joined English Premier League side Liverpool in February 2007. He helped the Reds reach the Champions League final that year before moving to Barcelona in 2010. In 2014, he played every minute of Argentina’s World Cup campaign as they lost to Germany in the final.