Barcelona Defender Enters Club's Record Books After Win Over Granada

Published on: 29 October 2016

Former West Ham and Liverpool playerJavier Mascherano has earned the title of the foreigner with the third-most appearances in a Barcelona shirt.


While his move to the Catalan club was seen as strange by some, the Argentine has thrived since his conversion to a centre back in Spain.

As reported byThe Sport Bible,Mascherano is now behind only Lionel Messi and Dani Alves in recordappearances of non-Spanish players, emphasising the success he's madeof his time at the club.


Mascherano originally moved to Barcelona as a defensive midfielder, the role he had made his name in at both West Ham and Liverpool, not to mention the national team.


But Pep Guardiola saw an opportunity to use him as a centre back, a decision that ultimately paid off for both the player and the manager.

His time at the club has seen him win two Champions League titles and four La Liga championships, and he recently extended his contract until 2019.


So having taken over Barca legendPhillip Cocu at 292 appearances, Mascherano may now be able to set his sights on fellow South Americans Alves and Messi - well, Alves anyway!


Messi is approaching 400 appearancesand doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.


So yep,maybe just Alves...

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