Mathieu's transfer from Valencia to Barcelona was met with some criticism last week due to the €20 million fee the Catalan club paid for the 30-year-old.
But in an interview with the club's TV channel and website, Mathieu claimed he will be ideally suited to slot into the central defensive slot vacated by former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, effectively arguing a younger player would struggle with the pressure.
"Being 30 gives you more tranquillity and experience when you talk to the press and deal with the atmosphere of big clubs," the Frenchman said.
"I'm very ready for the demands and pressure."
"I will give 100 per cent of myself and I hope everything goes well on the pitch," Mathieu said.
"It's difficult to join a team after someone like Carles Puyol leaves but I will show Barca that they made a good choice in signing me."
Mathieu's arrival represents the first time Barcelona have gone out and bought a proper central defender since Dmytro Chygrynskiy arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk in August 2009.
