Javier Mascherano Photo: VCG

There are not many players whose careers are defined by one tackle, never mind two, but that's the case for Javier Mascherano.

Argentina's most capped footballer called time on his glittering career this week, retiring from football after his Estudiantes side lost to Argentinos Juniors in the Argentine league.

"It is time to finish my career because of things that happened to me in recent months," Mascherano said after the game. "That on a personal level and ­after having thought about it for all this time, the most correct thing is to finish today.

"I have lived my profession 100 percent, I gave the best I could and today I find that it has been difficult for me for a while and I do not want to disrespect Estudiantes, who trusted me to return to Argentina, or my colleagues, or this profession.

"It does not have to do with the club or with a result, but with feelings that one is feeling over recent times, which make the illusion that one had of being a footballer fade.

"Post pandemic, I thought that I was going to feel the spark again, but the truth is that I could not. Out of respect for everyone, it is time to step aside and end this race. I didn't want to let time go by.

"I am infinitely grateful to the clubs I played for, the teammates I had throughout my career and to Estudiantes who gave me the opportunity to come and play in recent times. It was less than I expected, things happened this way and sometimes you don't choose the end."

Estudiantes, run by former Argentina teammate Juan Sebastian Veron, was the last stop on a career that began at River Plate then took in Corinthians in Brazil, English Premier League sides West Ham United and Liverpool, Spanish giants Barcelona and Chinese Super League outfit Hebei China Fortune.

It is his time at the Camp Nou for which he is best known and that is where the tributes to him came from.

"What can I say about Masche, so many years together, seeing each other every day and sharing so much," former Barcelona and Argentina teammate Lionel Messi wrote on social media.

"We shared very happy moments and also some tough ones on the pitch in Argentina and in Barcelona as well. We have been missing you since you left. I wish all the best to you and to your family always!"

"An outstanding professional, humble as few ­others and with a unique capacity to lead," former Barca midfielder Xavi said.

The club marked the occasion too.

Barcelona tweeted, "Thanks for the legacy you have left in the world of football, and especially at Barca, Mascherano. You will always be one of us," the club tweeted from the official account.

"334 games, 18 trophies, 1 goal. Mascherano, Barca legend," they followed up. That goal came from the penalty spot in a win over Osasuna, teammates such as Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta greeted it with giggles on the bench.

It was much the same when Mascherano swapped Barcelona for Hebei. "Masche, after so many matches and moments together, words are not enough," Messi wrote on social media at the time. 

"You know I'm going to miss you, it will be strange to come to the dressing room and not see you sitting by my side."

Xavi at the same time heaped on the praise.

"I think a lot of foreigners who come to play for Barca should follow your example, how you've adapted, and the mark you've made on the dressing room, above all on a personal level and, of course, on a professional level, too," the World Cup winner said.

"I think you've set an example in every area. So, I wish you nothing but the best. I also want to say it's been a pleasure to share so many things with you and to have played alongside you."

That came about, Mascherano has said, as he told Messi at the 2010 World Cup that he would be interested in replacing Yaya Toure at the Camp Nou. Messi told coach Pep Guardiola and the rest was history.

Mascherano, the Argentina and Liverpool midfielder, knew he had his work cut out dislodging Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. Fate intervened.

Injuries to club captain and central defender Carlos Puyol meant a gap in defense and Guardiola found he could call on Mascherano. He would go on to become part of a key pairing with Gerard Pique.

"I wouldn't ever sell him," Guardiola said of Mascherano in 2012. "He's a unique signing and we are very happy to have him."

Guardiola's successor Luis Enrique also praised Mascherano when he was announced as the new head coach in the summer of 2014.

"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."

So to those tackles. The first came on Arsenal's Nicholas Bendtner in a 2011 Champions League game. An Arsenal away goal would have knocked Barcelona out and Bendtner was through on goal only for Mascherano to slide in.

"That tackle marked a before and after," Mascherano told the Guardian in 2016. Barcelona would go on to win the Champions League that season.

"That moment marked me. If Bendtner had controlled the ball and gone the other way, he'd have got away from me and … uffff! … I don't know what would've happened. But it happened the way it happened and we ended up winning that Champions League. Things worked out well."

The other was on Arjen Robben in the World Cup semifinal in 2014. Mascherano stopped the Dutchman at 90 minutes of the 0-0 and Argentina would reach the final. Many considered him to be the player of the tournament, where he played in midfield not defense.