Mascherano praise for Benitez

Posted Friday, October 09, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has thanked Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez for helping his career, but admits they can't talk very often these days.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has thanked Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez for helping his career, but admits they can't talk very often these days.

The Argentina international joined Benitez's Liverpool from West Ham in 2007, and is grateful to the Spaniard for his tutelage during their time together at Anfield.

"He took me out of a pit 20 metres underground and to the top," Mascherano told Panenka, as quoted by Marca.

The pair now find themselves on opposite ends of La Liga's strongest rivalry, and Mascherano admits that the situation has cooled his relationship with Benitez.

"We can't keep in touch since we're not on the same team," the 31-year-old added. "He's a great person and a teaching coach, and you can learn a lot from him if you really want to.

"Our relationship hasn't changed but it's now an uncomfortable situation. I spoke to him last year when he coached Napoli but now it's logical we speak less because of the circumstances.

"But I appreciate everything he did. Someday I'll leave Barca or he'll leave Madrid and everything will be back to normal. We still talk but not with the same regularity."