The Argentine has signed a new deal to remain at Camp Nou for three more years - recognition for a player who has led by example ever since he signed from Liverpool in 2010
Barcelona lost one player to Juventus this summer. Dani Alves left for Turin after eight years at Camp Nou and at one point, it looked like Javier Mascherano may follow him. However, the Catalan club have moved to make sure the Argentine stays put - and that's great news for Luis Enrique.
The Barca boss admitted last week that he had been surprised by the departure of Alves. "I can only praise him," he said. "I wish him the best, he is one of the best professionals I have seen in my career. Juventus have strengthened their team really well with Alves."
The Italian champions also wanted to sign Mascherano and after moving to Juve, Alves admitted: "It would be an honour to share this adventure with Mascherano." But if losing one of their first-team members to Juve was bad enough, Barca have made sure they will not be losing two to a side that will be one of their major rivals in Europe next season.
"The club have told me they have no intention of letting me leave, that they are very happy with me," the 32-year-old said last month. And days earlier, Barca's sporting director Robert Fernandez had vowed: "Mascherano will stay with Barca. I'm clear about that and we'll look for a positive solution for everyone."
That positive solution arrived on Wednesday as Barca announced the former Liverpool midfielder had signed a new three-year deal. "Javier Mascherano will continue his adventure at Barca for three more years," a tweet from the Catalan club read.
And what an adventure it has been. Brought in by Pep Guardiola in the summer of 2010 upon the recommendation of Lionel Messi, Mascherano made his debut in a 2-0 defeat at home to Hercules. That brought immediate criticism and scrutiny as the Argentine struggled initially to adapt to Barcelona's playing style. However, it would not be as a midfielder that he would make his name for the club, but as a central defender.
Guardiola saw that the Argentine could adapt to that position and over the years, he has proved not only an excellent centre-back for Barca, but a superb leader as well. Featuring first alongside Carles Puyol and latterly in an impressive partnership with Gerard Pique, Mascherano has become one of the world's best in his new position - and he sets the example to which others must adhere. He is a captain without an armband.
"The club have signed a player that I, as coach, wouldn't change for anyone else," Guardiola said in 2012. "I wouldn't ever sell him. He's a unique signing and we are very happy to have him."
They still are. And Luis Enrique said something similar when he was unveiled in the summer of 2014. Asked about the Argentine, he told the media: "Mascherano is like Xavi. He is very important, also because of his personality on and off the pitch. He is clear example of what a captain can be."
Mascherano, of course, is not the captain. Not for Argentina, nor for Barcelona. But it does not matter one bit, because he is the player who lifts all the others, he is the extension of the coach on the pitch, the man to whom others look in times of crisis. And he doesn't need an armband to be a leader.
Many players have come and gone in his time at Camp Nou, but Mascherano is almost always in the team. Now he is staying for three more years - and it may be Barca's best piece of news this summer.
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