Javier Mascherano exclusive: Former Barcelona defender picks Blaugrana for Clasico glory and backs Lamine Yamal for long-term success at Camp Nou

The Argentina U-20 coach claimed his former club will win El Clasico, and spoke highly of US soccer fans in an exclusive interview with GOAL.

Javier Mascherano played over 20 Clasicos for Barcelona, and was a key player in some famous Blaugrana victories against Real Madrid. He still recalls 4-0 wins at the Santiago Bernabeu, a 5-0 drubbing at Camp Nou, and the famous Lionel Messi shirt-lift celebration after the Argentine buried a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory in 2018.

And now, after taking the field in Catalan colours countless times, the Argentine legend will experience it as a fan. Mascherano will be in Miami this weekend in coordination with El Partidazo, La Liga's fan engagement and event platform in the United States that works with local fan groups. His appearance in South Beach is set to mark one of five major watch parties around the United States as Barca and Madrid face off for the first time this season.

Ahead of the event, Mascherano spoke to GOAL about some of his favourite Clasico memories, Xavi's management of the Blaugrana, and the dangers of Jude Bellingham in Madrid white...

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What do you hope to see out of US fans? What are you expecting, a good atmosphere?
Yeah, of course. Real Madrid and Barcelona, have fans around the world and everyone is supporting these kinds of clubs. So in these kind of games, the atmosphere in the whole world is very, very big.
So, I think in the USA, it will be special because people that normally don't have the chance to be in Spain to watch live, they tried to create a big atmosphere for these kinds of things.

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You played against Real Madrid in Clasicos countless times. What is it like to play in these games? How big does it feel?
Listen, for a player to play a big game is the most important thing. We all love to play big games.
So when the Clasico arrives and you know that you are close to playing, the feeling is different because you know how important will be the impact after the game, for the press, for the fans also for the competition. If you beat them in the Clasico, normally you are beating your rivals for the title. As a player, it's one of the most important games you can play.
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Do you have a favorite Clasico moment or game that you played in?
I can say the 4-0 in the Bernabeu in the 2015-16 season! Also my first Clasico I didn't play, but I was on the bench. It was 5-0 at Camp Nou, in 2011, the first game that Pep [Guardiola] faced [Jose] Mourinho in La Liga.
I also remember one game, in 2017, we beat Madrid at the Bernabeu, 3-2, when Messi lifted the shirt. So yeah I have very, very good memories.

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Obviously, Barca won the league last year, and Xavi is the coach. What do you think of how he's changed the club, and how is the team playing right now?
Well, I think he made big changes. It was not easy when he took control of the club, because Barcelona was not in a good situation, and it was the middle of the season.
I think the main change is they're back in the modern game. Now you can see the Barca DNA and also the model of how Barca play.
Xavi has brought lots of young players in as well. Balde, Gavi, and most recently Lamine Yamal. What do you think of him?
Yeah, I think obviously he's very young! But everyone sees him as a star. I think it's important that Barca don't push him or put him under pressure.
But I think for Barca, they see in Lamine, one of the players of the next 10 years. He can be a very important player in the future. And also in players like Gavi and Pedri — who is a little bit older than them but not too much — you can see maybe the base of Barca's future.
And on the other side, you have Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid. What have you made of him? And can Barca stop him?
Well, this is a big surprise. Normally, I expected he was maybe going to take more time to adapt to La Liga. We know that it's not easy for a British player to come to La Liga and adapt quickly. But I am very impressed with him, because he is very young. He is 20 years old, and he plays like a player who is 30 years. I also didn't see him in the Bundesliga scoring a lot of goals like he is scoring. I think Ancelotti maybe found the best position for him, playing as a false 9, a false striker.
So I'm very impressed. I think he's one of the best players in Madrid and in general. It will be difficult for Barca to stop him, but if Xavi knows how, perfect!
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Do you have a score prediction?
I always try to talk with my heart! I think Barca will win. I think it will be a very open game, but Barca will win 2-1.

What do you hope to see out of US fans? What are you expecting, a good atmosphere?

You played against Real Madrid in Clasicos countless times. What is it like to play in these games? How big does it feel?

Do you have a favorite Clasico moment or game that you played in?

Obviously, Barca won the league last year, and Xavi is the coach. What do you think of how he's changed the club, and how is the team playing right now?

Xavi has brought lots of young players in as well. Balde, Gavi, and most recently Lamine Yamal. What do you think of him?

And on the other side, you have Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid. What have you made of him? And can Barca stop him?

Do you have a score prediction?