Masch aware of competition

Mascherano: Delighted

Javier Mascherano has conceded that he will have to work hard to win a place in Barcelona's midfield this season.

The Argentina captain completed his transfer on Sunday from Liverpool in an £18million deal after taking a five-hour medical.

In what had been one of the longest transfer sagas of the summer, with Inter Milan also chasing his signature, the 26-year-old must now compete with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi for a starting berth.

But despite leaving what was a certain starting position at Anfield, Mascherano insisted that he was delighted to have moved to the Camp Nou and could now live a dream.

Dream

"When I landed I said that I was achieving a dream. At last I will be able to say that I play for Barcelona, the team who I wanted to play for," he said.

"It would be stupid if I thought I was going to play all the time. You need to respect the people here who have been doing so well.

"In my position there are three world champions who have won everything (Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta).

"For me it is a dream to grow, learn and enjoy playing next to them.

"I know that they've won everything, it's a team full of great players, with a base of world champions and I will try to be humble and help the team continue winning things.

"I'm going to have the chance to play with players who I admire and I will able to say that I've grown and that I've been a better player at this club.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime. I will train to be ready when I'm needed."