River Plate president Rodolfo D’Onofrio has claimed that the Barcelona duo of Javier Mascherano could end their careers at the Argentine club. The Spanish giants beat their Argentine counterparts to clinch the Club World Cup last month and the club president revealed that after the finals, he had a conversation with the Argentine duo.
It should be remembered that Lionel Messi almost signed for River Plate as a youngster before Barcelona secured his signature. On the other hand, Mascherano started his professional club with the Argentine giants.
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In an interview with Clarin (as reported by Mirror), the River Plate president explained:
''Why not think that Messi could one day finish [his career] in River?"
"When the game ended Messi and [Javier] Mascherano came out of the dressing room to chat with us for a while. Leo congratulated me and all of River, in my name.’’
"His manners are astounding, he is the best player in the world and despite that he is warm, humble, down to earth, friendly.’’
Speaking about Messi's apology to River Plate fans when he scored against them in the finals of the Club World Cup, he added:
"The apology he offered the fans I don't know if he did it because he is a River supporter or not, but it is related with the respect he has for Argentine football.’’
"He told me he went to River for a trial, but the problem was he did not control his registration, Newell's did.’’
"He went back to Rosario to find it, but six months went by and he could not get it, he could not play.’’
"At that point he went to Barcelona due to custody issues."
He also added that Macherano revealed in his smiles that he could make a sensational return at the Argentine club:
"Almost jokingly, I asked him 'When are you coming back to River?' He looked at me with a knowing smile and did not deny anything.’’
"If I have to interpret that smile, I would dare to say it was something like, 'One day I will go'. Javier knows absolutely everything about River, he is up to date on what happens in the club."
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