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.
Barcelona took a step closer to the La Liga title after earning a hard-fought 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp. Barca put one hand on title after edging past Sociedad
Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v AFC Bournemouth - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - January 13, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cair
Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to Bournemouth
Football: PSG buy Argentina midfielder Paredes for estimated €47m before Man United clash PARIS (AFP) - Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the French football champions announced on Tuesday (Jan 29).
Paris Saint-Germain 'beat Chelsea to £41million deal' for
Play at 'world-class' level, Poch tells Spurs
Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi is courting interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Villareal. The 17-year-old attacker is one of England's best players in his age group and has made four
Callum Hudson-Odoi: Chelsea 'confident' teen sensation will
Aguero inches Man City closer to title. Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at
Aguero inches Man City closer to title | Bangkok Post: news
Valencia coach Marcelino insists the pressure will be on Arsenal when his side take on the Gunners in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Arsenal favourites for Europa League, says Valencia's
Arsenal, Chelsea, Valencia, Frankfurt in Europa League semis
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3
By training 10,000 more students each year than any other driver's ed option in the state, by offering hundreds of classes at 70+ classroom locations, and by featuring the only customer service center of any school in CT - The Next Street is The Best Driving School in Connecticut. go ahead
Next Official Site: Online Fashion, Kids Clothes & Homeware
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Schools across the United Kingdom have recorded a significant surge in number of racial abuse cases as calls increase for more protection for pupils and teachers from different religious and ethnic backgrounds. The Guardian newspaper said in a report published on its website on Saturday that around
racial | meaning of racial in Longman Dictionary of
The players to watch during the World Cup in France • Marta, Morgan, Miedema or Kerr - whose star will shine the brightest in France for the 2019 World Cup? • Front Page • One News Page[Aus]: Tuesday, 4 June 2019
FRANCE 2019: 5 players to watch at the Women's World Cup
'I am so sorry and I apologise to Javi and to Watford': Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises for Raheem Sterling's offside goal Raheem Sterling's first goal against Watford was a controversial one He was clearly offside, but the referee overruled his linesman's decision Pep Guardiola has said if it was indeed offside, then he is sorry for the goal
Football: Home United engage youth in MacPherson through photography and sport SINGAPORE - Singapore Premier League club Home United organised a photography exhibition at the MacPherson Community Club (CC) on Saturday (Dec 29), in what was a culmination of a community outreach programme aimed at youth living in MacPherson.
Latest HOME UNITED | The Straits Times
Europe's small-cap stockmarkets A bigger pool for minnows. New calls for a pan-European exchange to boost small and mid-sized companies Published since September 1843 to take part in "a
Minnow Baltimore - SBIC - Baltimore, MD - Yelp
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen