FIFA World Cup 2018: 10 players who will likely be playing in their last World Cup

#7 Javier Mascherano

Sampaoli and Co. rely on Mascherano at the back

The former Barcelona defender is one of the vital cogs in Argentina's defence. The Riverplate academy product is a reliable option at the back for Argentina. His experience will help Argentina keep defensive steadiness in the upcoming Russian World Cup.

Mascherano is 33 and is never going to make a cut in any of Argentina's future World Cup squads after this quadrennial event. Mascherano has already made 142 appearances for Argentina.

Argentina have got a relatively easier group and could easily advance to the knock-out rounds if they move cautiously and Mascherano has a bigger part to play there.

Their team is star-studded. With the likes of players like Messi, Aguero, Higuain etc to don their colours, they're one of the favourites to clinch the cup.

But, their defence is a bit weaker. The Spanish troop exposed it in their recent thrashing, where Argentina lost 6-0. Things need to get rectified and bolstered before the World Cup.

A determined performance from Mascherano could help them overcome this crisis. Masche's last-ditch tackles are world-class.

His commanding presence at the back is must for Argentina, if they're aiming one step ahead in this World Cup.