Mascherano: In Argentina they think anyone can play like Barcelona

Posted Saturday, June 09, 2012 by Goal.com

The 28-year-old has urged his native public to give him more credit for his performances at club level, saying he feels under appreciated in his home country

Javier Mascherano believes that the public in his native Argentina are overly-critical of him and that he should receive more credit for playing for Barcelona.

The 28-year-old moved to Camp Nou from Liverpool two years ago, and has since won a string of medals in the side that has won widespread acclaim.

However, he feels that he is under appreciated in the country of his birth, and that he deserves more praise for being part of such a team.

"I despise it," he confessed to ESPN Rivadavia. "This is the most criticism that I have received. They don't talk about what I do for my club, as though anyone plays for Barcelona.

"But I accept it. That's football. It's a game, and we don't have to make it a tragedy. If a player is criticised, the player should not come out with criticism.

"You have to think things through before speaking. Personally, I prefer silence to saying something I'll regret."

Mascherano is currently on international duty with Argentina, who will play Brazil in a friendly on Saturday at 20:45CET.