Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez after he signed him
for Liverpool in 2007:- Photo Filed.
Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has expressed his
gratitude to Rafa Benitez and feels the Real Madrid coach saved
his career.
The Argentina international initially struggled to find his feet in
Europe after joining West Ham from Corinthians in 2006, but
Benitez recognised his potential and signed him for Liverpool
after a disappointing six-month spell at the London side.
Mascherano has not forgotten about his former mentor and has
stressed he will always be grateful to Benitez.
"He's a great man, and a diligent and excellent coach,"
Mascherano told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I'll always be grateful to him for having rescued me from the
big black hole I was stuck in.
"At West Ham, I was hardly given any playing time. It was the
first time I'd played in Europe and then Rafa came to Liverpool
and took me there.
"People didn't understand it, with them already having players
like Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko and Steven Gerrard in
midfield.
"But Benitez said to me that none of those three had the talent
that I did..."
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