A captain without an armband: How Javier Mascherano is Argentina's most dependable player
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Javier Mascherano looked up in shock as the referee showed him the red card.
It was clumsy, but it looked a harmless foul on Luis Suarez. Nonetheless, his involvement in Argentina's 2011 Copa America campaign was over — his teammates would join him shortly, losing the quarterfinal match to Uruguay on penalties.
Despondent, he walked over to the sideline, stopping briefly to remove the captain's armband and hand it to Argentina's favored son.
It hasn't changed hands since.
Mascherano, the captain of the Albiceleste since 2008, relinquished the role to his more illustrious teammate, Lionel Messi. Manager Alejandro Sabella always wanted it that way. Most of the country did, too. The best player in the world needed to be given that honor.
Sometimes, though, you don't need a small piece of elastic fabric around your arm to be a leader.
Mascherano has proven that to be true over the past month in Brazil. Never was his importance more apparent than Wednesday night in Sao Paulo, as the Barcelona man shone brightest among a host of stars, winning plaudits for his immense role in helping the Albiceleste reach their first World Cup final in 24 years.
"Mascherano is a symbol, an emblem..." Sabella said after Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties in a grueling semifinal. "He's an outstanding player. Other clubs wanted to take him.
"I don't need to make any other comments. (Pep) Guardiola, (Rafa) Benitez, these coaches wanted to take him with them. He's an emblem for the national squad on the field of play and off it."
Standing just 5-foot-7, the shaven-headed destroyer is affectionately known by his teammates as El Jefecito, which translates to 'the little chief.' A more appropriate nickname is hard to find.
He was calm against the Oranje, as a leader needs to be in tense situations. In a game that was at times more war than football, his ability to organize his troops and be in the right position was masterful.
"I think the word to use is intelligence," Mascherano said prior to the match when asked to describe his playing style. "At this stage you play with heart and soul but you don't get anywhere if you're not intelligent in the tactical aspect, managing the game."
And the one time he was caught out, that heart and soul came to the fore.
We always expect the big play in a match to be an offensive one. A great strike, pass or winding run through a maze of defenders. The best play in yesterday's contest was a marvelous slide tackle that would bring a tear to any defender's eye.
In truth, he probably shouldn't have even been on the pitch at that point. A brutal head-to-head collision with Georginio Wijnaldum in the first half left the tiny midfielder in a daze, stumbling around after seeming to lose consciousness.
While his continued involvement is an indictment on FIFA's embarrassing approach to head injuries, there is something to be said for a player returning to a match after suffering a gruesome injury and putting in a brilliant performance.
Was it wise? Probably not. But it was not surprising. The 30-year-old, likely in his final World Cup after making over 100 appearances for the national team, would not be denied his chance at glory, even if it got ugly.
In that way, Mascherano is the epitome of everything this team actually is.
This Argentina side was supposed to be a treat to watch in attack. Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria and company would make them one of the most exciting teams in the tournament. Score goals now, worry about the defense later.
Not quite.
For all of this team's individual moments of brilliance — which rightly get the praise they deserve — this edition of Argentina is more Mascherano than Messi. More steel than flair. The legendary kit may be equal parts blue and white, but the former best captures the persona of this squad. This is not Maradona's flashy, white-collar football of years past.
They've found the net just three times in as many knockout stage matches, and yet here they are, one win away from immortality. Underwhelming going forward, they have been impenetrable at the back.
Having now gone to extra time on two occassions, the team has needed to dig deep. Every time, Mascherano has been there, the vocal leader while Messi remains quiet, preferring instead to let his feet do the talking.
Much like he did in extra time against Switzerland, the well-traveled veteran assumed command of the team talk last night.
Don't mistake that type of emotion for a player who is more bark than bite. Anybody can be energetic on the sideline, acting as little more than a glorified cheerleader urging his team to "try harder" and "keep pushing."
Mascherano backs it up. Always at the center of the action, he has completed more passes than any other player in the tournament (478) and has the third-highest number of tackles (18).
Argentina rely on him in every possible way. He has come through thus far, with only one (massive) hurdle remaining.
This is Lionel Messi’s team. It will remain his team until the day he calls time on his astounding career.
Mascherano will be long gone by that point, watching his former teammates from afar, just as the rest of the country does. Then, just as he does now, he'll be the one yelling the loudest, orchestrating the screams and cheers of his compatriots.