Mascherano has found himself at the center of a heated controversy involving Mexico and his former teammate Messi, sparking a frenzy of speculation among fans and pundits alike.
Despite the turmoil surrounding him, Mascherano has opted to play down the situation, choosing instead to focus on his current endeavors with his club in Miami.
The row allegedly began when Mascherano made comments that were perceived as dismissive of Mexico's chances in an upcoming tournament, which were then met with a fiery response from fans and players alike.
Messi, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, was reportedly drawn into the fray, with some outlets suggesting that the two legends had engaged in a war of words over the matter.
However, in a recent interview, Mascherano sought to downplay the situation, stating that his comments had been taken out of context and that he had the utmost respect for the Mexican team and its players.
When questioned about his alleged dispute with Messi, Mascherano remained tight-lipped, preferring not to fuel the fire and instead directing the attention back to his own team's upcoming fixtures.
As the situation continues to unfold, fans and observers will be keeping a close eye on any further developments, eager to see if the matter will have any lasting impact on the relationships between those involved.
One thing is certain, however - Mascherano's decision to play down the row has done little to quell the speculation, and it seems that this saga is far from over.