Javier Mascherano is an Argentine footballer known for his talent as a defensive midfield player. He is widely considered to be one of the last great players to emerge from the junior ranks of the River Plate football club and has been outstanding in a position previously occupied by the greatest heroes of that famous club, such as Americo Ruben Gallego, Reinaldo Carlos Merlo, Leonardo Astrada and Matias Almeyda. Nicknamed “EI Jefecito” which translates to ‘the little chief’ he is admired for his tremendous leadership skills, his ability to mark players, make strategies, organize team members, and read the game. A deep-lying central midfielder, he is highly praised by his peers for his ability to effortlessly block and destroy the opposition’s attacking plays. He is also lauded for his tendency of not trying to go too forward despite having phenomenal shot-making and counter-attacking passing skills. In his career, he has played for various clubs, such as River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham United, Liverpool and Barcelona. He has also captained his national team (at the insistence of Argentine football legend Diego Maradona) quite successfully and has led his side to the quarter-final stages of both the FIFA World Cup and Copa America.