Javier Mascherano wishes to retire at River Plate

Barcelona: Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano wishes to end his career at his first club Atletico River Plate after his contract with Barcelona expires June 30, 2018.

"I'd like to end my career at River, where I started out, but I have a contract with Barcelona until 2018," the 30-year-old was quoted as saying by marca.com.

"It remains to be seen if I'll still be in good enough shape to play at a high level. These are issues that you must not force. It never depends on one individual," Macheano, who played a crucial role in his country's runners-up finish in 2014 FIFA World Cup, said Wednesday.

Mascherano made his full River Plate debut in August 2003 during a match against Nueva Chicago which curiously arrived after his first senior international cap in a friendly against Uruguay.

The defensive midfielder went on to play over 50 times for the Buenos Aires giants and was part of the squad that won the 2004 Clausura.