River Plate tried to "seduce" Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano for Barcelona on February 11, 2015
© Getty Images
River Plate president Rodrigo D'Onofrio reveals that he tried to talk Barcelona's Javier Mascherano into returning to the club following Sunday's Club World Cup final.

River Plate president Rodrigo D'Onofrio has revealed that he tried to "seduce" Barcelona's Javier Mascherano following the Club World Cup final at the weekend.

Barcelona were officially named the best club team on the planet when they recorded a 3-0 win over River in the final in Japan on Sunday.

It was the first time that Mascherano had met his former club in a competitive match since departing in 2005, and D'Onofrio has said that he did his best to convince the 31-year-old to consider a return.

"I spoke with Mascherano and, of course, I tried to seduce him into returning," D'Onofrio told Fox Sports.

Mascherano made close to 50 league appearances for River between 2003 and 2005, before joining Corinthians.

Javier Mascherano for Barcelona on February 11, 2015
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