- Javier Mascherano was given a farewell ceremony after his move was confirmed
- Barcelona have confirmed the defender will move to Chinese side Hebei Fortune
- The defender arrived at Barcelona back in 2010 and won 18 trophies at the club
Javier Mascherano has been honoured with a special farewell ceremony by Barcelona after it was announced the defender had completed his move to China.
Barcelona held the ceremony on Wednesday morning after confirming the defender would move to Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune.
Mascherano was visibly moved by Barcelona’s gesture and the defender appeared to be fighting back tears as Lionel Messi and Co watched on.
Javier Mascherano is embraced by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Wednesday
The 33-year-old was visibly moved by the gesture and appeared to be holding back tears
Mascherano gets a warm hug from his compatriot Lionel Messi during the emotional ceremony
The Argentine was given a warm hug by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who presented Mascherano with with a photo of himself alongside the 18 trophies he won at the Nou Camp.
Messi also embraced his compatriot and former team-mate as Mascherano was given a grand send-off ahead of his January transfer.
The likes of Messi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets were all in attendance alongside current Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde.
Mascherano is set to say his farewells to Barcelona supporters at Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg with Espanyol.
More to follow
Mascherano was given a photo of himself alongside the 18 trophies he has won at the club
(R-L) Ernesto Valverde, Andres Iniesta, Messi, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique
Messi and Iniesta share a joke as they watch the Argentine defender’s farewell ceremony
Barcelona confirmed Mascherano will be leaving to join the Chinese Super League outfit
