Messi mulling Olympic Games invitation: Mascherano
Argentina Under-23 manager Javier Mascherano has revealed that Lionel Messi is considering an invitation to participate in the Paris Olympics this summer.
FC Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has said he expects departing midfielder Javier Mascherano to embark on a coaching career once he hangs up his cleats.
The manager’s comment followed confirmation from the Catalan club that the 33-year-old Argentine was leaving for Chinese club Hebei China Fortune, reports Efe.
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“You can see how he thinks, he understands the game. He is almost like a coach himself during the game,” Valverde said of Mascherano.
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“He is a player who is close to the end of the career. He has got that (coaching) bug and he is surely going to try it, because if you do not try it you will always be wondering.”
Also read: Tearful Javier Mascherano bids goodbye to Barcelona
Mascherano, who joined Barça from Liverpool in 2010, is due to move to Hebei on Friday.
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