Gonzalo Higuain retires from Argentina duty with message for critics
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain announced his retirement from international football on Thursday telling critics “I gave everything” for the Albiceleste.
He says he can devote more time to his family and more focus on his Premier League club Chelsea.
The 31-year-old French-born forward stands down from national duty with 75 caps, the first coming in 2009 when he marked his debut in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Peru with a goal.
Last year’s 2-1 win over Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup was to be his last appearance for his country. He leaves with a 35-goal haul.
Higuain exits the international stage having lost out on World Cup glory in 2014 when Argentina fell to Germany in the final and defeats in the finals of the 2015 and 2016 Copa America.
Despite coming so close to a major trophy he bows out his head held high.
“To play in three finals and lose them is not a failure,” he told TV Fox Sports Argentina.
And he had a message for critics of his performances playing for Argentina.
“People remember your mistakes, not what you’ve accomplished.
“Those who attacked will have almost certainly cried for joy when I scored against Belgium to put us thought to the semi-finals (at the 2014 “World Cup).
“That’s football.”
He added: “Obviously when the criticism turns nasty it hurts everybody. I gave everything to the team. My family has suffered more than me.”
Whilst his international trophy chest may be bare, at club level he won two Spanish La Liga titles with Real Madrid in 2007 and 2008 and he helped Juventus be crowned Italian champions in 2017 and 2018.
Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Juventus on loan in January he has scored just three times in 10 appearances.
Rangers still have work to do, says Gerrard after title win
Bale over psychological scars of past injuries: Mourinho
Barca has deficit to overcome to recover in Champions League
Joan Laporta back as president at embattled Barcelona
- During the seven years of his presidency, the first team achieved two Champions Leagues, four league championships, a Copa del Rey, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, three Spanish Super Cups and three Spanish Cups.
100 goals not bad for a negative team, says Tottenham boss Mourinho
Manchester United down City in derby, Spurs rout Palace as Kane & Bale hit brace
Atletico title pursuit stalled by late Madrid equalizer
- Karim Benzema, back in the Madrid squad after an injury layoff, scored in the 87th minute after Luis Suárez's early goal for Atlético at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Liverpool suffer sixth straight Anfield loss as Fulham win 1-0
Roma beat Genoa 1-0 to move into Champions League places
- Genoa remained seven points above the relegation zone after its second loss in three matches. It had only lost one of the previous 10 since Davide Ballardini replaced Rolando Maran as coach.
Lewandowski hat-trick steers Bayern past Dortmund 4-2
- Bayern Munich roared back from two goals down to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2.
Morata double fires Juventus to comeback win over Lazio
- Morata helped Juventus come from behind to beat Lazio 3-1 in Serie A.
Messi grabs two assists as Barcelona march on with victory at Osasuna
- Messi helped Barca take the lead on the half-hour mark when he carved open Osasuna's defence with a superb cross-field ball to Alba, who controlled before blasting into the roof of the net.
Leicester turn up heat in top-four race
- Daniel Amartey's 88th-minute header completed a comeback win for Leicester who stretched their unbeaten away run to 10 games.
Sylla’s late intervention keeps NorthEast level against Bagan
- The draw also extended NorthEast unbeaten run this season to 11, with 10 of those coming under interim head coach Khalid Jamil. The 43-year-old Indian coach made three changes to the side that had won 2-0 against Kerala Blasters in their last league game of the campaign.
