Night the little chief Mascherano claimed Ronaldinho's scalp

Mascherano had already made a name for himself in Argentina's national team. He was called "Jefecito" (little chief) and he returned from the 2004 Copa America as his country's player of the tournament.

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They lost to Brazil in the final on penalties that year but when they met the then reigning world champions again, in a World Cup qualifier on June 8 2005, Jose Pekerman had a plan he believed would enable Argentina to gain revenge.

Mascherano was summoned and told, if Argentina were going to conquer their fiercest rivals, he would have to take care of the finest player on the planet. He would have to stop Ronaldinho.

Stop Ronaldinho, explained Pekerman, and you stop Brazil. If the diminutive but destructive midfielder showed not a hint of big-night nerves at the Monumental Stadium that evening.

"He was incredible," recalled Joorabchian yesterday. "I remember him running the full width of the pitch to win the ball off Ronaldinho and then winning at back again on the other side of the pitch what seemed like a few seconds later.

"Some of the world's best coaches were drooling over him and it was that game that convinced us to buy him."

Argentina were magnificent and so was Mascherano, suffocating Ronaldinho to such an extent that the Brazilian eventually lost his cool.

Three first-half goals from Hernan Crespo, who scored twice, and Juan Roman Riquelme ended the game as a contest and, while Brazil eventually responded with a trademark free-kick from Roberto Carlos, secured Argentina's place in the 2006 World Cup.

The Little Chief's commanding display led to a move from River Plate to Corinthians in Brazil and then to the Premiership.

That performance in Buenos Aires cemented his place in the side and inthe World Cup in Germany last summer he played every minute of a campaign that, on form, probably should have ended with an appearance in the final in Berlin.

Kaka might have replaced Ronaldinho as the world's greatest footballer but Mascherano has scant regard for such reputations.

He proved as much in Buenos Aires two years ago and he will endeavour to prove as much again when he appears for Liverpool here in Athens tomorrow night for what promises to be a fascinating Champions League Final.