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.
Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China, spearheading the country's attempts to become a force at last. Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China | Sport24
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China
BARCELONA: Lionel Messi created a goal and scored another as Barcelona came from behind to beat struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 at home on Saturday and stay seven points clear at the top of La Liga
Soccer: Messi shines as Barca survive scare to see off Rayo
It's hard not to feel a little bad for Spurs, though, and wonder how this match would've played out if not for that pivotal early call against them that, as their fans suspected, proved too
"All Cried Out" but NOT Giving Up! 😭 - YouTube
No complacency. Improving patient safety is a determined and unwavering commitment for us all. We must constantly strive to listen to patients and their families and listen to staff so that we can
Home's Saswa is first casualty of SPL season After barely a quarter of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, Home United are the first team to part ways with their head coach as they announced the mutual termination of Saswadimata Dasuki's contract yesterday.
What They Said: Moyes on top four, Gerrard eyes title glory
This is the narrative at the heart of the gender discrimination lawsuit the United States women's national football team filed on Friday against the sport's national governing body, US Soccer. In nearly every sport, gender disparities in pay and working conditions are rampant.
Women's national team sues U.S. Soccer, wants equal pay - UPI.com
Gareth Bale is "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid, according to his agent. Jonathan Barnett was responding to reports that Real manager Zinedine Zidane had raised doubts over the Welshman's
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real claims agent
May 27, 2019 · Aston Villa in Premier League heaven with Wembley play-off win over Derby masterminded their return to the Premier League. league victories across March and April that propelled them into
The Straits Times - Breaking News, Lifestyle & Multimedia News
LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has accepted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million (S$176.7 million) move is "too cheap
Hard to keep Hazard: Sarri - theworldnews.net
Other than having to integrate a new-look side, Shigetomi also has to contend with new SPL rules which require Albirex to sign at least four Singaporean players, with at least two playing the entire first half. The club missed out on several targets in the close season, but still managed to sign six local players.
Singapore football must build a star overseas to create a
Football: Ikhsan Fandi scores in third successive match for
Furious Sarri Slams Chelsea Players As "Difficult To Motivate" After Arsenal Defeat Rafael Jan 20, 2019 8 Comments Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was so furious with his players after a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal he insisted on using a translator to ensure his every word was understood clearly without mistake.
Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's players are 'extremely
Explore Glassdoor. Glassdoor has millions of jobs, salary information, company reviews, and interview questions - all posted anonymously by employees and job seekers. See what others are looking for on Glassdoor today.
Career Tops Sold Direct on eBay | Fantastic Prices on Career Tops
AD
Neymar has denied an accusation that he raped a woman in Paris. A leaked police report filed in Sao Paulo reveals the woman alleges that the attack took place in a hotel in the French capital.
Brazil footballer Neymar denies rape allegation - telegraph.co.uk
0 comments:
Post a Comment