Javier Mascherano can’t understand his fellow footballers who claim to enjoy playing matches. ‘I enjoy training, learning, but I suffer for 90 minutes.’
Mascherano has given an interview to Spanish publication Panenka, with Marca reporting the Barcelona defender’s comments.
“It’s 90 minutes of suffering because I have to concentrate fully to not make a mistake, to pay attention not only to myself but to my teammates,” he said.
“I don’t understand when people say ‘let’s go out there and enjoy it.’ I don’t go out there to enjoy it. I enjoy training, I enjoy learning, but for 90 minutes I don’t enjoy the match.”
Mascherano also discussed his Barca career, revealing his belief that if he hadn’t of been converted to a central defender from his usual midfield berth, he wouldn’t still be at Camp Nou.
“I already knew that to be a midfielder here was nearly impossible. Centre-back is my position and I feel like a centre-back,” he added.
“Saying I’m a ‘converted’ centre-back would be an excuse on my part. But them, when I play in midfield, I feel like it’s a reward and I enjoy it even more.
“There was no other way [than to play at centre-back]. I realised what I brought to Barca wasn’t even enough to stay at the club.”
