Mascherano will be a special guest in the party of 'Messi and his friends'

The Brazilian Robinho, Diego Forlan and Argentine Ariel Ortega, Javier Mascherano and Ezquiel Lavezzi, are part of the friendly 'Messi and his friends', to be held on 21 June in Bogotá.

They are joined by Colombians also James Rodríguez, Mario Yepes and as was confirmed, Falcao García, among other Colombians who played the game with the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, said Lorena Petersson, press officer of Total Concerts, company in charge of the event.

It also confirmed the Venezuelan names like Danny Alves of Portuguese and Brazilian Julio César. Part of the proceeds with the game tickets will go to Lio Messi Foundation, the philanthropic organization created by the player who also is an ambassador for Unicef. (via SPORT)

Mascherano: "Chelsea first"

Mascherano stressed today that it would a mistake to focus on the Real Madrid game instead of Wednesday’s match at Stamford Bridge: “We’re in a Champions league semi-final”.

"We want to put the league out of our minds a bit and focus on Chelsea, because we have the chance of reaching the final of Europe’s top competition”. Speaking at Sunday’s press conference, Javier Mascherano left no-on in any doubt as to the players’ attitude in a week that will be key to the Club’s aspirations both in Europe and in La Liga.

Not surprisingly, he emphasised that the result of Wednesday’s match at Stamford Bridge will be vital in the outcome of the tie: “It’ll be a really difficult tie that will depend a lot on getting a good result in the first leg against a team that has always been characterised by their tremendous physical strength, and which has some really experienced players”.

"The main thing right now is Wednesday’s match. Afterwards, we’ll think about the league and Real Madrid. We’re in a Champions League semi-final and we have a great opportunity to reach the final. It would be a really big mistake to focus on Real Madrid first, because Wednesday’s match is very difficult and will go a long way to deciding the tie”.

The Argentine international believes there’s “no room for error” in any of the competitions at this stage of the season and is proud of the spirit shown by the players game after game, as demonstrated by the comeback against Levante: “Faith is the last thing you lose and we have faith in what we can do. Then it depends, because you never know in football, but it’s important we have the right dynamic. Obviously the victory [against Levante] in the Ciutat de Valencia strengthens us, above all because we maintained the team spirit. It’s alive and well and won’t be beaten and keeps fighting against the odds”.

However, by his own admission, Mascherano is not too keen to talk about the ‘what ifs’ and so doesn’t want to go into whether a win against Real Madrid on Saturday would bring the league title a little closer: “We are all aware that even if we win all our matches in the league we still depend on other results. Real Madrid have a four-point lead and we’ll have to see if we’re capable of beating them next weekend. It’s not in our hands. But what’s real right now is Wednesday, Stamford Bridge, Chelsea".

Finally, Mascherano confirmed that he’s happy about his current form: “When you have a run in the side and you see that things are going well for the team then you improve individually as well. I’m in a team that demands individual improvement. The fact is that each and every one of us has to give that little bit extra, the best we can, especially at this stage of the season”.

Messi and the squad

In answer to the question as to whether the team depends too much on Messi’s goals, Mascherano praised his fellow countryman’s goal scoring talents but also pointed to the contribution of other team-mates: “We know that we have a player who usually gives us at least a one goal or the final pass for other players. Messi makes the difference and having the best player in the world in your team means you tend to depend a bit on him because he’s goal-hungry and it’s very possible that in any match he can be the deciding element. But you have to say that sometimes it’s the goals of Cesc, Xavi, Alexis or Iniesta that have kept us alive”. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Mascherano said Ibrahimovic

Javier Mascherano spoke to Barça TV microphones after the meeting and wanted to respond to the words of Ibrahimovic to a Swedish channel.

"Now I understand why Mourinho complains when it comes to Camp Nou," said Swede Ibrahimovic to a channel just after the game. Not far from there and a few minutes apart, Mascherano He talked to Barça TV and TV3 and was told the words of Swedish. "Everyone has their opinion, but two penalties were very clear," said the Argentine. "We do not always help because Milan did not help us much," he added, referring to more of an arbitration award in San Siro.

Mascherano gave their views on the match: "Overall we did a good job defensively despite scoring a goal. Oportuindades They did not have to mark and this is due not only to the defense if not the defensive task of the whole team," said .

"Knowing that they have very strong players in attack had to have control of the game, create chances and score more than one goal," he said. Mascherano said change from three to four defenses necessary. "We started with a 3-4-3 because we needed people out since the Milan defended very good inside. But after the 2-1 defense was better prioritize and so we went back to back four," he said.

The Argentine has no preference for the semi-final opponent and wanted to achieve "the bell a third final in four years." (via SPORT)

Mascherano: "We have to keep working, and win every game from here to the end"

The Argentinian defender was proud of the work carried out by the first team in the game against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

"We were a bit surprised, especially how our rival made us work so hard" said the player.

Javier Mascherano praised his team's victory against Athletic Bilbao, 2-0, in the interview after the game on the Barça TV program “El Marcador”. The Argentinian player said that "it was that type of game, at a physical level, as demanding as we’ve had" and added that Bilbao are a team that "over and above whether you like them, or like their footballing philosophy, they pressurise you all over the pitch".

The defender was delighted with his teams’ effort, as well as with the end result. "You have to give a bit more, and I think the team did that, and that’s why we won, as well as playing a great game" he said. Mascherano also stated that "we were very good, and created a lot of chances; it may not have been noticeable, but the game was really demanding".

Mascherano was thrilled with the huge banner that Barça fans dedicated to his compatriot, Lionel Messi, at the start of the match: "Just seeing the banner gave me goosebumps" he said, and pointed out that "for him, it was spectacular. That your own people, people who saw you grow up as a sportsman, appreciate you so much, and let you know it with this type of gesture, is just spectacular".

Mascherano also commented about the controversies that have been created around his teammate Gerard Pique. "Football is often very unfair. Gerard has given so much to FC Barcelona since he came back, not only in terms of titles, but with the way he’s always played" said the defender. He added that it is an honor to play alongside Pique, and the rest of his teammates: "Playing alongside the likes of Gerard and Puyol has given me lots of confidence".

Javier Mascherano had only kind words for his manager. "We are talking about one of the best managers in the world, if not the best," he said. He added that working with Guardiola is "a constant learning process", and emphasised Pep’s desire for continual innovation. "He always comes up with some surprise, or some detail, that helps us win the game, or helps the team to feel comfortable on the pitch" he said, and pointed out that "it’s what makes Pep different from the rest of the managers” .

"Coming into a game as important as Tuesday’s there’s no way you can be tired” he said in reference to the game on Tuesday against Milan in the return leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. Mascherano also stressed that "when you have something so important to do, you forget everything and your body just responds". (via FCBarcelona.com)