Argentina star reveals horror anus injury

Anyone questioning the toughness of football players better think again after an Argentinian star revealed he played extra time in the World Cup semi-final triumph over the Netherlands with a torn anus.

Match footage shows Javier Mascherano suffering the horror injury as he makes a heroic block on a shot from Dutch star Arjen Robben in the first minute of injury time.

Mascherano immediately reels back and clutches his buttocks in agony.

Incredibly, he manages to soldier on through the extra 30 minutes as Argentina prevail 4-2 on penalties.

"I tore my anus," Mascherano told journalists after the victory.

"That's why I was in so much pain. I don't want to sound crude, but that's what happened."

It was not the only injury that the midfielder suffered in the victory.

Experts were critical of FIFA after Mascherano played on despite appearing to be concussed when he clashed heads during an aerial challenge in the 27th minute.