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.
Football: Women in football face daily battle, says France
Despite many failures of the NDA Government during 2014-19, the electorate voted for the BJP. The BJP leaders bypassed economic and employment issues and made security and Hindutva as main poll issues to woo the electorate, KPCC chief said.
Pregnant Natalie Queiroz tells of moment she was stabbed 24
Patrice Evra has hit back at accusations of homophobia after Paris Saint-Germain blasted the former France captain for calling the Ligue 1 club "a bunch of queers" in the aftermath of its Champions League exit to Manchester United.
Evra denies homophobia after social media spat with PSG
Premier League voices fears over proposed Champions League
Coach tells Zaniolo to stay focused despite brace, Football
BARCELONA, May 1 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi put Barcelona on the verge of the Champions League final by scoring twice in a 3-0 home win over Liverpool in Wednesday's semi-final first leg, taking his
Messi Torments Liverpool With 600th Barca Goal In 3-0 Win
Some giant-killings are bigger than others, and the efforts of both Lincoln and Sutton could well earn them a money-spinning tie against one of the Premier League's big names. Not to jinx Sutton: but two non-league teams have never made it to the FA Cup fifth round in same year (post-1945) — Alan Smith (@alansmith90) January 29, 2017
Amond's late penalty gives Newport County shock FA Cup win
The Project Gutenberg eBook, Where the Pavement Ends, by John Russell This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series - theworldnews.net
Klopp hails 'outstanding' Salah as Liverpool star hits landmark in Bournemouth win. He played an outstanding game," the Reds boss told a post-match news Why Barca won't be sacking Valverde;
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hails 'outstanding' Mohamed
Ronaldo Faces Disciplinary Hearing Over Goal Celebration After scoring the decisive penalty four minutes from time, Ronaldo turned towards the Atletico fans and replicated Simeone's gesture after the Spaniards' 2-0 first leg win by grasping his genitals and thrusting out his groin.
Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal celebration
Mar 08, 2019 · More than two dozen members of the United States women's national team sued U.S. Soccer in federal court on Friday. Credit Credit Douglas Defelice/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
Women's National Team Files Federal Lawsuit Against U.S
It was important that the linesman stopped the run, he didn't follow the ball, so he had a big influence on our defenders, and at the moment I think the English referees aren't able to use the system.
Furious Pochettino confronts referees, reacts to Spurs loss
Sport24.co.za | Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final Spain - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen