Barcelona

Javier Mascherano: 'End of an era at Barcelona'

By Sam Hughes, Reporter | 18 May 2014

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano admits that it is "the end of a cycle" at the club and expects their to be huge changes at the Nou Camp ahead of next season.

Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has admitted that it is an end of an era at Barcelona after the Catalan giants surrendered their La Liga crown on Saturday.

Barca could only draw 1-1 to Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp, handing the title to Diego Simeone's side for the first time in 18 years.

The result also ended Gerardo Martino's reign as manager and Mascherano made sure to apologise for the season, but also hinted at big changes throughout the club to mark "the end of a cycle".

"It's the end of a cycle. We apologise to everyone. The manager, the fans, everyone," Mascherano told reporters. "Losing in front of our fans hurts a lot. We've been through the ringer this season.

"We could've won and left everything behind. Now there will be decisions, and changes, of course. This season wasn't the best, far from it.

"We'll have to wait for next season to see what decisions the club makes."

Barcelona finished the campaign in second place in La Liga.