Javier Mascherano has conceded that his time at Barcelona is coming to an end.
The 33-year-old is contracted to the Catalan giants until the summer of 2019, but has been widely tipped to leave Camp Nou at the end of the current campaign.
The Argentine has only started five La Liga matches this term, and has suggested that he will look to seek pastures new following the completion of the 2017-18 season.
"I think that my stage here is ending," Mascherano told ESPN. "It makes sense that after such a long time there's not much more I can do in this club. I'm not saying it with a heavy heart. I've had the best years of my career in this club. I'll never forget it.
"I'm one of those people that thinks that you have to know when is the right time to end a stage. I would like to close mine [at Barcelona] on the right time but it doesn't really depend on me.
"I am predisposed to close it on time because when I left Liverpool it wasn't good for me, and I didn't like it. I didn't like having the feeling that I could go back to Liverpool and there was still something toxic there. And I don't want the same thing to happen to me at Barcelona."
Mascherano has won four league titles, four Copas del Rey and two Champions Leagues during his time at Camp Nou.
Matt Law
