Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
Mascherano, the most-capped player in Argentina's history, made the announcement in a press conference at his current club, Estudiantes.
He said: 'I want to announce that today I am retiring from soccer professionally.
![Javier Mascherano won five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues while with Barcelona](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/16/00/35713426-8952101-image-a-1_1605486390999.jpg)
![Mascherano was instrumental as Argentina made their first World Cup final in 24 years in 2014](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/11/16/00/35713502-8952101-image-a-3_1605486632624.jpg)
'I want to thank this club that gave me the opportunity to finish my career in Argentina.
'I lived my profession 100%, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder.