Javier Mascherano wants Argentina get back to title-winning ways, ahead of their Copa América 2015 opener against Paraguay on Saturday.
La Albiceleste kick off their Group B campaign nearly a year since they lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in Rio de Janeiro.
The 1993 edition of the Copa was Argentina’s last major international honour, and Mascherano feels that the current generation of players is good enough to break that barren run.
“It’s not a matter of egos, but each of us needs to win something with the national team,” BT Sport reports.
“We want to consolidate the work that has been done in the last few years and it would be very good to add a cup to that second-placed finish in Brazil.
“The national team are all set up to win the title. If you check through the names we have a great team. That allows you to start dreaming.”
Mascherano, who served as Argentina captain from 2008-11, explained that his team owed a duty of care to their nation.
“There is pressure and a responsibility that we have at a moral level with our football,” he commented.
“At the end of the day, the idea is to show all the good that we can do with the shirt of our country – who helped us grow and gave us a little bit of everything. We give back through our footbal.”
The 31-year-old also took the time to praise the ambitious style of coach Gerardo Martino, who he also played under at Barcelona during the 2013-14 season.
“As we put more players into the attack we will take more risks, but we will have more chances too,” he added.
“Martino has brave ideas. I’ve been playing like this for seven years at Barcelona, but in the national team it requires a lot more work. Only over time will this system work.”
Defending champions Uruguay and Concacaf side Jamaica also stand in Argentina’s way in Group B.
Bron: ca2015.com
