Gonzalo Higuain biography
Gonzalo Gerardo Higuaín (born December 10 1987 in Brest, France, Finistère, France) is an Argentina-France Football (soccer). He currently plays as a striker at the Spanish club Real Madrid.
Biography
Gonzalo Higuaín was born in France while his father, professional Argentine footballer Jorge Higuaín, was playing for Stade Brest 29, at that time in the French Ligue 1. Having left the country at the age of 10 months, he did not return to France until the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Even though he does not speak French, he holds a French passport, because his father was naturalized French. But in January 2007, he successfully applied for the Argentine nationality.
He is the younger brother of Federico Higuaín, who plays football for Independiente.
Club career
River Plate
Following his double strike in the
Major football rivalries Boca Juniors vs River Plate local derby against Boca Juniors, Club Atlético River Plate manager Daniel Passarella declared that he had an 'enormous future' and was 'destined for superstardom'.
Touted by many as a star of the future, he attracted the interest of several big clubs such as A.C. Milan, S.S. Lazio, Manchester United F.C. and Chelsea F.C.. After Real Madrid C.F. capture of another South American starlet, Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, rumours were mounting that Higuaín and Fernando Ruben Gago of Boca Juniors would be signing for the Whites in the future.
Real Madrid
2006/2007
Real Madrid successfully signed Higuaín for €13 million, after River Plate had earlier turned down a €10 million offer for the 19-year-old striker from Real.
The striker announced at the signing of his six and a half-year contract, "it's great to have the chance of playing for such an important club as Real Madrid. I feel proud that Madrid has noticed me."
Higuaín's first game for Real Madrid was against Real Zaragoza at home. Higuaín shone by creating several chances and delivering the assist which resulted in Madrid's 1-0 crucial win against Zaragoza.
Higuaín's first ever goal for Real Madrid came during the 62nd minute in Real Madrid's draw with local rivals Atlético Madrid on February 24 2007. His first home goal for Real Madrid came in the dying minutes of Real's crucial encounter with Espanyol on May 12 2007. With the match tied at 3-3, Higuaín won the ball with a sliding tackle before exchanging a one-two with Jose Antonio Reyes and slotting the ball into the net. It was this goal which enabled Real Madrid to overtake rivals Barcelona into first place and propelled them to their 30th League Title.
2007/2008
On May 4, 2008, with Real Madrid down 1-0 against Osasuna, and needing just 3 points from their final fours games, Higuaín came on for Saviola in the 67th minute and from a free kick, assisted Arjen Robben's equalizer in the 88th minute. Higuaín then struck the winning goal two minutes later to clinch Real Madrid's 31st La Liga championship and has now become a new idol for Real Madrid fans.
Despite being Real Madrid's title hero, Higuain found himself on the bench for Barcelona's visit to the Bernabeu four days later. However, as he had in previous games, Higuain came on to devastating effect, scoring with his first touch within a minute and helped his team to a crushing 4-1 victory.
2008/2009
On August 24, 2008 he became Real Madrid's cup hero, scoring in the 89th minute, giving Real Madrid a victory over Valencia CF and it's eighth Supercopa de España. After the close of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid revealed that they have turned down a €25 million offer for Higuain from Zenit St. Petersburg.
International career
Higuaín initially rejected calls from both the Argentine under 20s and French national teams, specifically a friendly against Greece national football team, November 15 2006, claiming at the time he was undecided for which country he would prefer to play.
Higuaín's international career was looking set to mirror that of David Trézéguet, whose father was Argentinian, but went on to play successfully for France. When Les Bleus called up Higuaín against Greece, they assigned him the shirt number 20, the number originally worn by Trézéguet. He was dubbed the new "David Trézéguet". Nevertheless, at the beginning of 2007 Higuaín expressed his desire to play for Argentina, and started the procedures to obtain Argentine citizenship.
In February 2008, Higuaín was called up by the Argentina national football team, for a friendly match against Guatemala. He scored two goals in his debut and Argentina won 5 : 0. Unfortunately, it was not officially recognized as FIFA as an "A" international match, and will not count towards his caps and goals in international play.
Club career statistics
Honours
Real Madrid
Domestic
- La Liga
- Supercopa de España
Gonzalo Higuain in the news
Gonzalo Higuain set for new Real Madrid contract - IMScouting
The GuardianGonzalo Higuain set for new Real Madrid contractIMScoutingArgentinean striker Gonzalo Higuain is close to signing a new contract at Real Madrid , according to a report in Spanish newspaper AS today. ...Real Madrid Striker Karim Benzema Concerned He Will Miss Lyon ReturnGoal.comHiguain wants same wages as Real Madrid pal BenzemaTribalfootball.comReal Madrid coach Pellegrini praises fit again HiguainPeople's Daily OnlineSportbox -CCTV -ESPN STAR Sportsall 73 news articles »
read moreReport: Juventus Set Sights On Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain - Goal...
Goal.comReport: Juventus Set Sights On Real Madrid's Gonzalo HiguainGoal.comHiguain has found it hard to find a regular slot in Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI, even though his 12 goals in 15 games has been a ...Higuain changes Madrid for Juventus?Momento24 EnglishJuventus Set Sights On Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain - ReportGoal.comall 4 news articles »
read moreReal Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini Faces Decision Between Gonzalo ...
Real Madrid Coach Manuel Pellegrini Faces Decision Between Gonzalo Higuain Or RaulGoal.com... of Saturday's match against Espanyol as he is forced to choose between Raul and Gonzalo Higuain, a choice which has had the Madrid press speculating. ...
read moreReal Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain And Mahamadou Diarra Return To Traini...
Goal.comReal Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain And Mahamadou Diarra Return To TrainingGoal.comReal Madrid's training session today was marked by the return of Gonzalo Higuain and Mahamadou Diarra action, with both players training ...
read moreNine-man Barca win - East Coast Radio
Globe and MailNine-man Barca winEast Coast RadioLionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez score for the defending champions. Real Madrid, who are second, thumped Espanyol 3-0. Sergio Ramos, Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain ...Kaka ends barren spell as Real close gapAFPReal Madrid beats Espanyol 3-0, Barcelona beats Getafe 2-1 in Spanish leagueThe Canadian PressNine-man Barcelona edge past GetafeESPNPeople's Daily Online -CNN -SkySportsall 232 news articles »
read moreKarim Benzema: Higuain Injury My Chance to Prove Worth at Real Madr...
Karim Benzema: Higuain Injury My Chance to Prove Worth at Real MadridInside Futbol (blog)Real Madrid new-boy Karim Benzema is eager to prove his worth to manager Manuel Pellegrini after fellow striker Gonzalo Higuain has been ruled out for at ...Real Madrid star Kaka happier in Spain than ItalyTribalfootball.comReal Madrid striker Higuain upbeat despite injury setbackTribalfootball.comall 113 news articles »
read moreWeekend Club Review: Europe - World Soccer Digest
Weekend Club Review: EuropeWorld Soccer DigestThe Blaugrana stayed five points clear of Real Madrid, with Los Blancos beating Espanyol 3-0 after goals from Sergio Ramos, Kaka, and Gonzalo Higuaín. ...and more »
read moreMaradona's attacking multitudes - ESPN
New York Times (blog)Maradona's attacking multitudesESPNGettyImages Gonzalo Higuain is one of the best options for Maradona. This is the conundrum facing Diego Maradona as he attempts to select a potent forward ...La Liga: Real Madrid's Higuain Out for Weeks; FTBL Score Remains HighFTBL.comArgentina's Talented AngelNew York Times (blog)all 6 news articles »
read moreReal Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain Increases Workload To Return For Depo...
Goal.comReal Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain Increases Workload To Return For Deportivo MatchGoal.comGonzalo Higuain was reportedly set to be out for three weeks after his injury against Mallorca, and today 'El Pipita' ramped up his ...
read moreRafael Van Der Vaart And Gonzalo Higuain Very Doubtful For Real Mad...
Goal.comRafael Van Der Vaart And Gonzalo Higuain Very Doubtful For Real Madrid Match ...Goal.comReal Madrid's infirmary continues to be filled with Rafael Van der Vaart, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Garay, Lassana Diarra and Mahamadou ...
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