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
Real Madrid Without Parejo For Three Weeks - Goal.com
Goal.comReal Madrid Without Parejo For Three WeeksGoal.com, Switzerland - Jan 4, 2009It is another blow to Real Madrid, after Gonzalo Higuain was ruled out for around ten days. Of course, they join Mahamadou Diarra and Ruud Van Nistelrooy on ...Real youngster Parejo out of action for month Monsters and Critics.comLa Liga: Robben stunner downs Villarreal ESPNNEW BOYS SET FOR REAL DEBUTS Sportinglife.comall 154 news articles
read moreBriefs-Higuain out of Real's clash with Villarreal - Reuter...
Goal.comBriefs-Higuain out of Real's clash with VillarrealReuters.uk, UK - Dec 31, 2008Soccer - Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain has tonsillitis and will miss the Primera Liga champions' home match against Villarreal on Sunday, ...TONSILLITIS RULES OUT HIGUAIN Sportinglife.comHiguain out with tonsillitis SoccerwayReal Madrid Confirm Higuaín Is Out For Seven To Ten Days Goal.comGoal.comall 12 news articles
read moreHiguain goal gives Ramos first victory - CNN International
SkySportsHiguain goal gives Ramos first victoryCNN International - Dec 20, 2008(CNN) -- A third minute goal from Gonzalo Higuain gave Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over Valencia, coach Juande Ramos' first Primera Liga win since taking ...Higuain tally enough as Madrid tops Valencia Sports NetworkHiguain brings Madrid back to life SportsYA!Higuain: Ramos working Real Madrid players hard in training Tribalfootball.comSportinglife.com - Reuters UKall 170 news articles
read moreSoccer-Spain roundup-Real near full strength for Villarreal game - ...
SkySportsSoccer-Spain roundup-Real near full strength for Villarreal gameReuters.uk, UK - Jan 2, 2009Apart from the tonsilitis-stricken Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos has a full squad available for Sunday's home match against Villarreal ...PREVIEW: Contrasting start to 2009 for Barcelona and Real Madrid Earthtimes (press release)Villarreal's Pires eyes first away win over Real International Herald Tribuneall 99 news articles
read moreTevez To Ditch Manchester United For Real Madrid? - Goal.com
Tevez To Ditch Manchester United For Real Madrid?Goal.com, Switzerland - Dec 31, 2008However, it remains to be seen whether the giants of the Bernabeu are actually interested in Tevez, given they already have Raul, Gonzalo Higuain and ...
read more3rd vs 4th, 5th vs 6th as Liga stars shake off Christmas cobwebs - ...
3rd vs 4th, 5th vs 6th as Liga stars shake off Christmas cobwebsThink Spain, Spain - Jan 2, 2009... side that is likely to include new signings Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra especially given that Gonzalo Higuain has been ruled out with tonsillitis. ...
read moreLassana Starts Training; Huntelaar Absent - Goal.com
Goal.com LatinoamericaLassana Starts Training; Huntelaar AbsentGoal.com, Switzerland - Dec 29, 2008Forward Gonzalo Higuain was also absent as he is suffering from tonsillitis. He has been granted permission to remain in Argentina while he recovers. ...Spanish Debate: Who Should Real Madrid Register - Huntelaar Or Diarra? Goal.comall 114 news articles
read moreRaul Doubtful For Valencia Clash; Palanca Ready To Stand In - Goal.com
Raul Doubtful For Valencia Clash; Palanca Ready To Stand InGoal.com, Switzerland - Dec 18, 2008... until the eleventh hour but should he fail to recover, then youngster Miguel Palanca looks likely to deputise upfront alongside Gonzalo Higuain. ...
read moreHiguain strike gives Real Madrid coach Ramos's first win - AFP
AFPHiguain strike gives Real Madrid coach Ramos's first winAFP - Dec 20, 2008BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) — An early goal for Gonzalo Higuain was enough to give Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday and the first win for ...
read moreBarcelona-Real Madrid: La Liga Preview - Bleacher Report
Bleacher ReportBarcelona-Real Madrid: La Liga PreviewBleacher Report, CA - Dec 11, 2008Gonzalo Higuain can always be counted upon to drive the team on. Raul, the captain has proved time and time again that his best days are not behind him. ...Kanoute and Seville Leave Madrid Reeling ClickAfriqueall 903 news articles
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