Teenage sensation Mikayil Faye has revealed Javier Mascherano as his role model after completing his transfer to Barcelona from Croatian second tier side NK Kustosija.
The 18-year old Senegalese was announced by the Catalan giants on Monday, penning a four-year deal reportedly worth €5 million with a €400 million release clause attached.
Faye will be registered with the Barcelona B team and says it has always been a dream for him to wear the blue and garnet shirt.
“I play as a central defender. I like to play in the middle because it is my preferred position. I followed many players like Araujo, Pique, Mascherano,” Faye told Barca TV.
“I always looked at Barca when I played. My idol was Mascherano, because he was a tough guy. He was strong, mentally strong.
“I am very happy because I have fulfilled my childhood dream. I always dreamed of playing for Barca. I had photos in my room, on my bed.
“Since I was a child I always dreamed of playing in Spain, especially for Barca. I’ll give everything on the pitch and off it because the club has trusted me. It’s a dream to play for a club as big as Barca.”
???? Agreement with NK Kustošija Zagreb for the transfer of ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? to #BarçaAtlètic.https://t.co/rGB4KkUt0L
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 19, 2023
Mascherano spent eight years with Barcelona, making 334 appearances, winning 17 titles, including four La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.
The 39-year-old is currently the manager of the Argentina U-20 national team. He led them to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil last month but lost 2-0 to the Flying Eagles of Nigeria.
