Javier Mascherano has confirmed his desire to stay at Barcelona “for many more years” but “is keeping things close to my chest” regarding Argentina.
Mascherano appeared to have been closer to the exit doors at Barca than away from them between May and June as Juventus sought a double swoop for him and Dani Alves.
The Bianconeri ultimately signed just the latter, however, leaving the defender-midfielder free to look forward to next season as a Cule.
“I hope to be at Barcelona for many more years,” he told reporters in Guatemala, Marca reports.
“I hope [2016-17] is a great season. I always start a new season with great enthusiasm. Hopefully it’s our best one yet.
On his future with Argentina in the wake of another lost Copa America final, Mascherano added: “We’ve just had a painful Copa America so this is no time to say anything. I’m keeping things close to my chest.
“It’s always much more complicated to have consistency in the national team than at Barcelona.”
