Mascherano Set For Rafa Olympic Row
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Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is on a crash course with Reds’ manager Rafa Benitez over his desire to represent Argentina in the summer Olympics.
The midfielder is determined to play for his country at the Beijing summer games, but that would mean missing the first four weeks of the Premiership season, and the start of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign.
Fifa rules state that each country can take three over-age players and should Mascherano decide to accept the call-up, there will be nothing Rafa Benitez can do to stop him.
“I want to be in the Olympic Games. I was in the team that won it last time” Mascherano told the News of the World.
“I know Liverpool have big games but for me to play for my country is the best thing possible” he added.
Benitez will no doubt try to persuade the Argentine not to go and show his loyalty to Liverpool, but Mascherano insists his heart is set on representing his country.
“We will have to talk to the manager about this...but I want to play for my country.”
The Olympic Games start on August 8 and run to August 24, but Mascherano would need to join up with the Argentine squad two weeks in advance for a training camp.