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In front of 5,00 fans at the Camp Nou Argentine defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano was presented as the newest signing for FC Barcelona. Mascherano took the pitch wearing number 14, previously worn by Thierry Henry.

The decision to present the 26 year old to the public was a last minute decision made by Barcelona officials. Originally the decision was made to make the singing of Mascherano only available to the press.

Following his signing a four year contract with the club, including a 90 million euro buyout clause, he met with the press. Mascherano when asked about his role with the club commented, “It would be a foolish of me to think I’m going to play it all. I must respect the people who are doing so well. In my position with the club there are three world champions who have won everything.”

Mascherano admitted that one player who most influenced his decision to join FC Barcelona was his good friend and teammate with the Argentina National team Leo Messi. When talking about Messi he commented that he hopes Messi “will be a great help to me.”

When asked about his signing as a replacement for recently departed Yaya Toure Mascherano responded, “Toure is a great player, who has left its mark on this club. I do not come to replace him, but to do my job the best I can. I have been hired because of what I have done in recent years. I’m not trying to be like Toure because I’m not. But I can give other things, neither better nor worse but different things.”