http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/DT-Exclusive-Mascherano-goes-on-strike?urn=sow-264774The following is a transcript of what we imagine to be the conversation that lead to that statement:
Hodgson: OK, here's the lineup, boys. Pepe and the back line stay the same as the Arsenal match. In the middle we'll have Steven, Javier-
Mascherano: Nope. I'm not playing.
Hodgson: Pardon?
Mascherano: I'm not playing. I'm on strike.
Hodgson: And what exactly does that mean, Javier?
Mascherano: It means I'm not doing anything until you sell me to Barcelona.
Babel: Me, too! I'm not doing anything until you sell me to Barcelona, either!
Hodgson: Nobody cares, Ryan. So, what, you're not going to partake in any team activities until you get what you want, Javier?
Mascherano: Right. And I'm not doing anything else, either. I'm totally on strike. I'm not even going to breathe until you sell me.
Hodgson: Oh, come now, Javier. That's being a bit over-dramatic, don't you think?
[Mascherano starts holding his breath]
Hodgson: You're being ridiculous, Javier.
Babel: LOL, I'm telling this story on Twitter and it's taking all day.
Hodgson: Nobody cares, Ryan!
[Mascherano begins to turn purple]
Hodgson: OK, Javier, you're proved your point. You can stop now. You're out of the lineup, but I am not promising a move to Barca.
Torres: He doesn't look right, boss.
Hodgson: Oh, let him keep it up. He can't do it forever. Barcelona won't sign a dead man.
Mascherano: Pep could heal me!
Hodgson: I thought you weren't breathing?
Mascherano: I'm taking a break!
Babel: LOL, you guys, check out this awful music video that I paid for.
Hodgson: I don't think I want this job anymore.
[Mascherano holds his breath again, passes out, Babel raps]