Javier Mascherano
At the end of his first season at Anfield, Javier Mascherano featured in the Liverpool FC side that lost to AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League final. Now, as his first Camp Nou campaign draws to a close, he has a second chance to win the trophy as Josep Guardiola's FC Barcelona take on Manchester United FC.
"I have dreamed of making it to the Champions League final again, because it is very difficult to make it there," said the 26-year-old midfielder. "For footballers that play at the big clubs like me, taking part in the Champions League every year is a normal thing, but not many make it to the last match, the final; it's like playing at the World Cup."
The Argentinian international added: "So for me to have the chance again to play in the Champions League final in my first year here at Barcelona is fantastic. I hope that after the defeat back then with Liverpool, this time with a bit of luck we can win it. Barcelona managed to win [the final between the sides] two years ago, and I hope the same team can repeat that success. For me it would be a great feeling."
Having played for United's north-west rivals from 2007-10, Mascherano knows Sir Alex Ferguson's side better than any of his team-mates, and he remembered his derby encounters well. "It is a classic rivalry," he said. "That encounter has something very special to it. I played at Liverpool for almost four years, so I had the chance to play some great games against them. They always had that special extra to them."
That English perspective means the former CA River Plate, SC Corinthians and West Ham United FC man is well placed to pick out United's key men. "Rooney is the player that makes the difference at Manchester United," said Mascherano. "He has been so important for the team in the years he has been playing there, and what he means to the team. He is a really important player at the club, and one of the best in the world.
"Then there is Chicharito [Javier Hernández], for the form he has shown in his first year. I knew him from Mexico, I saw some of his matches there, but what was surprising was that he adapted so quickly to the Premier League. It is a really tough league to play in; to have such success and to manage to help United is not easy at all. To come from South America to such a big team and have such success in your first year is just fantastic.
"And then another player I would like to name who is impressive, a living legend, is Ryan Giggs," continued Mascherano. "He is a player who still, even at his age [37], shines so brightly in every position he plays in. He is just a spectacular player. He is the player everybody has talked about during his career."
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