#41 Javier Mascherano
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The Argentinian anchorman is undoubtedly one of the greatest holding midfielders in world football today, but it’s been his continuously consistent shifts at the heart of FC Barcelona’s defence which has earned him so many plaudits recently. Mascherano was a major component of the Liverpool side whom, in the 2008/09 season, has the highest points tally not to win the Premier League and such performances earned him a switch to Catalonia where his list of accolades won is endless, including two Champions League titles and four La Liga triumphs.
Over the course of the last four seasons, the now 32-year-old has had an average pass completion rate of 90%, meanwhile making an average of 7 defensive actions per game, outlining how competent he is at both ends of the field, but also how tailored to Barca’s style of play he has become. Every Barcelona attack starts from the back and is essentially catalysed by this man, who can also put in a feisty tackle when needed.
Many regard his crunching block of an Arjen Robben shot while stretched to the full in a 2014 World Cup game against the Netherlands as one of the best old-school challenges we’ve seen in a long time. It exhibited technical brilliance, great timing and, more than anything else, brutal determination to put his body on the line for his country.
Next time we will be covering the players positioned from 40-31...
