BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain announced his retirement from international football on Thursday (March 28), telling critics "I gave everything" for the Albiceleste.
He says he can devote more time to his family and more focus on his English 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 both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America.
Despite coming so close to a major trophy he bows out with 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 through to the semi-finals (at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil).
"That's football."
Â
He added: "Obviously when the criticism turns nasty it hurts everybody. I gave everything to the team. My family has suffered more than me."
While 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 to 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.
May 02, 2019 · Arsenal, Chelsea in strong positions in Europa League semis. The possibility of an all-English final in the Europa League grew stronger after Arsenal and Chelsea moved into strong positions in the
Arsenal favourites for Europa League, says Valencia's
LEICESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday (April 12).. Read more at
Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia May 3rd, 2019 Reuters News Service Europa League , Football , Sport 0 comments Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their third goal
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1 - Al Arabiya
A consistent national Football Development Plan, will continually raise the overall technical standard of football in Australia, ensure opportunities for all to play and progress if they wish through a national pathway, and, in the meantime, foster life-long support for the game amongst its participants.
Liverpool will benefit in the Premier League because of their win, says Tim Sherwood (Pic: SKY SPORTS) "It wasn't about the 29 years and winning the Premier League, they are probably sick of hearing it now, we all are.
Bayern vs Liverpool: Reds won't sacrifice Champions League
Soccer: Sissoko unaware Tottenham had advanced after Sterling
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on at Etihad Stadium in Manchester January 26, 2019. — Action Images pic via Reuters. LONDON Feb 15 — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola predicts his side will "suffer" against fourth-tier Newport County in their FA Cup fifth round match tomorrow but has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade.
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport
Egyptian football star Mohamed "Mo" Salah has called for change in the way women are treated in the Muslim world, in an interview with Time magazine published Wednesday. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward was named one of the US magazine's 100 most influential figures of the year, alongside other athletes including Tiger Woods, LeBron
Mo Salah calls for better treatment of women in Muslim world
With the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool linked to the youngster, Maurizio Sarri has came under pressure for not giving Hudson-Odoi an opportunity. That is only increasing since the Blues star's assist in the Three Lions 5-1 over Montenegro.
Albirex Niigata FC (S) defender Kaishu Yamazaki hopes the defending champions can remain unbeaten the entire season starting with Wednesday's game against Young Lions. The entire Singapore
Football: Albirex Niigata still aim to win trophies despite
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho embarrassingly slipped after presenting a symbolic face-off to a match in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Monday. Videos of the 56-year
WATCH: Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league
0 comments:
Post a Comment