Javier Mascherano visits the Aspire Academy

Javier Mascherano, FIFA ambassador for the Club World Cup, spent some time at the Aspire Academy after catching up with Xavi and Santi Cazorla at Al Sadd.

Former Barcelona and Argentina star Javier Mascherano met with Aspire Academy director of performance and development, Walter de Salvo, on a visit to the centre of excellence, which has been nurturing the Qatari sports stars of the future since its foundation in 2004. Mascherano was given a guided tour of the Aspire facilities, where De Salvo explained the academy’s working process and the services on offer to athletes, with the ultimate goal of providing the best platform to develop athletes across various sporting fields with special emphasis on academic pursuits to raise the level of scientific knowledge among Aspire students.

During his visit, De Salvo presented Mascherano with a Leo Messi shirt, the two players having shared many seasons between them at Barcelona and with the Argentina national team. Mascherano later shared a photo on social media of his experience. “Thanks to Walter de Salvo for having me at the Aspire Academy.”

Mascherano meets Xavi and Cazorla

On Monday, Mascherano caught up with another former teammate, Al Sadd manager Xavi Hernández, and former Spain, Arsenal and Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla, who joined Xavi at the club last year.

On Wednesday evening, Mascherano took in the Club World Cup final at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan as Bayern Munich were crowned world champions after beating Mexican side Tigres 1-0.