#INSERT type:image caption:Javier Mascherano has said he will let his fitness dictate how much longer he plays for Argentina.END#
Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano said that despite Argentina's current struggle in World Cup qualifying and the ensuing media criticism of the team, he would never opt out of playing for his home country.
Argentina currently have five points in World Cup qualifying, having won just one match in the first round. Next up are Bolivia on March 29.
"There is constant desire to win titles, it all comes down to that," the 31-year-old told Clarin. "All the suffering to win something for the national team is all worth it. When you reach the decisive place of the finals you realise it. And when you weigh the pressure and the criticism against it, the desire to win something for Argentina always outweighs that."
The San Lorenzo native said it was time for the country to put the second-place finishes at Copa America and the 2014 World Cup behind them and look toward this year's Copa America Centenario and the qualifying.
"We have to look forward to face our new challenges," he said. "Copa America and the World Cup were both huge blows. The World Cup was the worst. It is hard to forget, that stays with you for your life. But we got to where we could and now we have to repay our debt with new goals."
Lingering effects from the loss in the final to Chile at the 2015 Copa America may or may not have been the reason for Argentina's slow start at World Cup qualifying this past autumn, but the former Liverpool defender said the team are showing improvement.
"In the last two matches we were able to do better. We are aware that we must still continue to grow and we are trying to move quickly down that road. We can't get off track during these qualifiers because it could cost us," he said. "We must be very careful."
Argentina played Brazil to a 1-1 draw while beating Colombia 1-0 for their first win in the most recent qualifying matches in November after the Albiceleste had endured a heartbreaking 0-2 loss to Ecuador at home in October.
"Those of us who have been on the national team for a long time know that when we are not winning, the mood around the team is not stable. But we trust in Gerardo [coach Martino]. He is our leader and we must support him on the field. I think we have done that. There is much anxiety all around because we haven't won any titles of late and the pressure is understandable."
Mascherano said he doesn't think the recent coaching changes in Chile will make the match in March any easier. Fellow Argentine Juan Antonio Pizzi recently took over the reins for their national team from Jorge Sampaoli.
"I doubt it. Chile have great players and they will continue with the same plan they had under Sampaoli. They will continue to be competitive," he said. "It just shows how fast things happen in football. Seven months ago Chile were celebrating a title and now the coach who helped them win it is no longer there."
Mascherano, who made his U-17 debut for Argentina in 2001, refused to speculate how many years were left on his international career.
"I try to keep my sights on the short-term goals," he said. "First we have the qualifying and then the Copa America in the United States. I try not to put any expiration dates on my career, my fitness and my coach will dictate that. I can't drive myself crazy thinking about Russia [2018]. I don't have 10 years left on my career and I just want to enjoy the time that remains."
Mascherano also said he doubted he would retire at Barcelona.
"I doubt that would happen [retiring at Barcelona]," he said. "There will come a time when because of age I won't be able to keep up with Barca's demanding play physically.
"Playing between 60 and 70 matches per season is not easy. I would need then to find a team whose physical demands were closer to something I could perform. I would have to see where I could go so that I could give my all."
He said he could see himself retiring to River Plate, where he debuted in 2003.
"I would never rule it out," he said. "I always think about returning, but I would not return unless I could be competitive, not just on a whim. I would only return if I could contribute."
He said many clubs try to copy Barcelona's style, but added that the Catalan club can be imitated but never duplicated.
"When you have a winning team it is logical that many will try to copy you and that is flattering," he said. "The mistake is in trying to imitate the club rather than just copying some things. There are many ways to play football and arrive at the same goal. It depends upon the players you have whether you will be able to approximate the style of Barcelona or not. The mistake is wanting to be like Barcelona rather than copying elements of Barcelona."