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.
Tigers riding high, Football News & Top Stories - The Straits
Putri Nur Syaliza did not expect to be thrown into the deep end when Singapore played Maldives in Putri the goal-scoring machine. Putri Nur Syaliza in the Under-15 Women's National Team in May The next youngest players selected for the Women's National Team squad against Maldives were 15
ST Young Athlete of the Year: Passion and determination drive
Soccer-Usual suspects in the frame at expanded Asian Cup. The 17th Asian Cup finals will be the biggest in the 62-year history of the tournament but even with 24 teams battling it out, it is
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Usual Suspects in the Frame at Expanded
BIMM Manchester Music Business student Connor Synnott is bringing together some of Manchester s most exciting new bands for a benefit gig at Salford's Sacred Trinity Church, with all proceeds going to Lifeshare.
Homeless people | Manchester City Council
Liverpool send classy message to Spurs after Champions League triumph against Pochettino's men A video posted by BT Sport shows footage of Henderson going up to Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as Liverpool's players and fans celebrated inside the stadium.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino 'disappointed' with Premier
Women's team suing US Soccer for gender-pay disparity
Ex-Dutch youth international Maguire seeks soaring start with Geylang The smaller crowds and stadiums of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) are a world away from the bright lights of elite football in Europe, but Barry Maguire sees his stint with Geylang International as a time to rebuild a career that is almost wrecked by injury.
Latest BARRY MAGUIRE | The Straits Times
The Merlion Cup will return to the Singapore football calendar this June after a decade-long hiatus.. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that the invitational tournament will be staged for the eighth time in a new quadrangular format, which will feature the national Under-22 teams of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Merlion Cup returns as U22 tournament - AFF - The Official
Jun 05, 2019 · We pick ten extremely talented players who are aiming to have their international breakthrough in France this summer. Skip to main content. 10 young players to watch at the Women's World Cup
The players to watch during the World Cup in France | Sports
sports-life-news.com/soccer/the-players-to-watch-during-the-world-cup-in-france/
When compiling a list of the best players competing at the World Cup over the next four weeks, you must first acknowledge that one of the finest players, if not the finest, in the world will skip the tournament.
Women's World Cup 2019: Five players to watch in France
Spurs to trigger Alderweireld contract extension, says Pochettino (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino said the club will activate a one-year extension in defender Toby Alderweireld's contract to keep him at the club until 2020.
Tottenham to trigger Alderweireld contract extension
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United blueprint to beat Tottenham. Man Utd face Tottenham in the Premier League and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may need some advice from Sir Alex
Manchester United - Blueprint
Marouane Fellaini has left Manchester United to join Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng on a permanent deal. Fellaini, 31, travelled to China on Thursday to discuss personal terms - having
Football: Marouane Fellaini leaves Man United for China's
Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged to forget signing 'world class' stars and go after the best young players Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and The veteran manager
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford strike as Manchester United
VIGO: Barcelona fell to their first La Liga defeat since November as the champions were beaten 2-0 at struggling Celta Vigo after making 11 changes but forward Ousmane Dembele suffered an injury
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday, overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit and advancing to their second successive final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Match report: Liverpool stun Barcelona to reach Champions
0 comments:
Post a Comment