Javier Mascherano reflects on main regret with Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa

FORMER Barcelona and Liverpool star Javier Mascherano wishes he could have enjoyed more playing time under Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
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Mascherano was handed his debut for the Argentina national side by Bielsa back in July 2003 against Uruguay when Mascherano was just 19 years old.

Mascherano had not even made his debut for River Plate at the time but was then left longing for more under Bielsa as the now Whites head coach left the Argentina job at the end of 2004.

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Under Bielsa, Mascherano helped Argentina win the South American Pre-Olímpico tournament in Chile and then gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

BIELSA'S BOYS: Javier Mascherano, bottom right, as part of the Argentina side about to face Paraguay in the men's football final of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP via Getty Images.BIELSA'S BOYS: Javier Mascherano, bottom right, as part of the Argentina side about to face Paraguay in the men's football final of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP via Getty Images.
BIELSA'S BOYS: Javier Mascherano, bottom right, as part of the Argentina side about to face Paraguay in the men's football final of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Photo by ANTONIO SCORZA/AFP via Getty Images.

Speaking to publication Ole in Argentina, Mascherano, who has worked under Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez and Alejandro Sabella, said of Bielsa: "Surely he is among the best I have ever had.

"The problem is that I had Marcelo at a very young age and when you are so young you can retain little.

"I would have liked to have had him much more mature.

“My consideration for a coach who bet on me without having made his debut in a first-team is very high. I hold Marcelo in very high esteem.

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"I was left with the thorn of not having had it longer and being more mature.”

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