Thirty-six-year-old Javier Mascherano, former defender of Argentina and Barcelona, announced his retirement after Estudiantes de La Plata's 1-0 loss to Argentinos Juniors on Sunday.

"I lived my profession 100 percent, to the maximum that I possibly can, and for a while now that has been getting harder. Sometimes you don't choose the end; it happens all by itself," Mascherano told reporters.

Mascherano began his career in River Plate in 2003. He arrived in Europe in 2006, and his first stop was West Ham United in the Premier League. After half a season, Mascherano was sent to Liverpool on loan. Anfield became the place where the world came to know Mascherano. He joined Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso to make the toughest midfield partnership in Europe.

In summer 2010, Mascherano departed for Barcelona and reached the peak of his career. He won five La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey championships, two UEFA Champions League titles, three Supercopa de España championships, two UEFA Super Cup titles and two FIFA World Cup championships in eight seasons.

In 2018, Mascherano joined China Ever Fortune and played two seasons in the Chinese Super League. On the last stop of his career, he returned to Argentina and played two seasons for Estudiantes.

Unlike many Argentine players, Mascherano invested most of his efforts in defense on the field. Thanks to his ferocious and persistent style, Gerrard, Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María could focus on how to break their opponent's net in the game. In the semifinal at the FIFA World Cup against the Netherlands in 2014, Mascherano tore his anus trying to deflect a shot by Arjen Robben. It was in the 91st minute, and the Netherlands could have won the game if it weren't for Mascherano.

As a leader, Mascherano did not speak much, but he was able to pull the whole team together both in the locker room and on the field.