Mascherano will stay at Barca with me, says Guardiola

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola singled out Javier Mascherano for credit after Saturday's 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, saying the Argentine defender would never leave the club as long as he was in charge.

Guardiola has converted Mascherano from holding midfielder into a full-time defender this season with Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal having suffered long-term injuries.

The former Liverpool player again put in a strong performance against Athletic and Guardiola says he has become a "decisive" and "unique" player in his squad and he "wouldn't trade him for anybody or ever sell him."

Guardiola says Mascherano and Gerard Pique were "immense" on Saturday as Barcelona stayed within six points of leaders Real Madrid with eight games to play.