by metalhead » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:41 pm
MASCH: I'LL REPAY RAFA WITH SILVERWARE
Jimmy Rice 29 August 2008
Javier Mascherano has vowed to outdo his Olympic heroics by helping Liverpool win a major honour during 2008-09.
In an exclusive interview with the club's official website ahead of his return to domestic action this weekend, the 24-year-old admitted he owed a debt of gratitude to Rafa Benitez for allowing his dream of winning a second gold medal to come true.
And despite travelling half way around the world from Beijing earlier in the week, Mascherano revealed he felt 100 per cent ready to start repaying that debt at Villa Park on Sunday.
"I am feeling really good. Obviously I still need to adapt to the training again because it's totally different to how you train with an international team," said the Argentine. "I feel ready for Aston Villa but it depends on what Rafa thinks.
"I won the gold not just for me but for all the Liverpool fans, my teammates who were here working hard, and for Rafa as well. Rafa and the club gave me the chance to win this gold medal – they could have told me I couldn't go.
"I have to say 'thank-you' to everyone here at the club and also the fans for understanding. I will now try to do my best to help bring some titles to Liverpool.
"I don't know how a Premier League or Champions League win would compare to an Olympic medal because I haven't won them, but I know the Olympics are maybe a step down from the Champions League - even though it was very important for me because of the history and for my country."
Mascherano is the first Argentinean footballer to win two Olympic gold medals – not that you'll find him bragging around Melwood.
He explained: "Some of the physios and the doctor asked me if they could see the gold medal but I don't like to do that. The Olympic Games has gone.
"But of course I am very happy. It's a great feeling for me and my country.
"It's amazing to think I am the first Argentinean to win two gold medals like this. As the years pass, I'll tell my daughter and children about it. The medals are in Liverpool but as soon as I get the chance to go back to Argentina I will take them with me."
The tournament saw Mascherano go head to head against clubmates Ryan Babel and Lucas in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively.
He added: "I could enjoy the situation for my country, but it's not easy when you beat some of your teammates who you spend the whole year with in the same city.
"Maybe Lucas and Ryan wanted to win the gold medals as well, so it's a difficult moment. Okay, I was happy to beat Brazil but Lucas was very sad, so I obviously tried to be respectful.
"But this is football. There are no hard feelings and now we'll work together to help Liverpool. We have forgotten about it."
Despite being a bona fide history-maker, there is no chance of Mascherano resting on his laurels for either club or country.
Asked if he'd like to go for a third Olympic gold when the London games come round in four years time, the midfielder replied: "It would be a great opportunity for me because I live in England. We will see but it would be fantastic to play in an Olympics in London."
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Welcome back masch
A great character he is
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