Gonzalo Higuain: A Big Factor for Argentina
While everyone’s attention is on Argentina’s star player Lionel Messi, the goal has been very good to the 22-year-old striker of Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain. He has already scored four goals in this year’s World Cup and he currently trails David Villa of Spain for the Adidas Golden Boot Award. Villa also has four goals but has one assist.
In their first game against Nigeria, Gabriel Heinze was the lone goal scorer for Diego Maradona's squad. However, in the post-game interview, Higuain vowed to the media that goals will come in their next assignments. True enough, he fired up three impressive goals to power Argentina to a resounding victory against the Korea Republic, 4-1, in Johannesburg. His powerful goals came in the 33rd, 76th, and 80th minute of the match. Needless to say, he was elected as the man of the match that was played in front of an excited crowd inside the Soccer City Stadium.
In the last 16 game against Mexico, Carlos Tevez tallied two goals but Higuain was the one who sealed the deal for his team when he scored a goal to shut the door for the Mexicans.
The young and promising member of the Argentinian National Football Squad started his career at River Plate in 2004. With an impressive showing, he was named to the squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Berlin, Germany. Argentina was able to reach the Quarter finals but Higuain barely saw the lights of the game. He did not play in that crucial match but Head Coach Daniel Passarella said that Higuain has a lot of potential and a bright future is ahead of him. He also stressed that if given the opportunity, Higuain will make a big noise in the biggest tournament in the World of Football.
Higuain caught the attention of giant teams and in 2007 and Real Madrid signed him to a six-year deal worth €13 million.
Aside from being young and energetic, Higuain brings fire and so much intensity to the game that he is able to influence and drive his team mates to work harder to win games. He has outstanding and unrivalled pacing that flawlessly tricks the opponent’s defence. And what makes him one of the most excellent strikers within the football world is his outstanding dribbling ability and commanding drives.
He gets frustrated with scoreless games, but has the tendency to bounce back really strong after those. These rare qualities will eventually put him at the ranks of Argentina’s greats like his coach Diego Maradona, who is regarded as the best midfielder in the history of the sport.
In February 2007, he connected his first goal against Atletico Madrid. After that, he already claimed the spotlight with a game-winning goal to defeat RCD Espanyol. This has pushed Real Madrid on top of their nemesis FC Barcelona and eventually caged their 30th crown of the event. The young hero was also the key player when Real Madrid won their 31st La Liga title in 2008. In a game against Barcelona, he came off the bench and fired a shot that clinched the victory.
Also in that same year, Higuain, again being the clutch man he is, gave Real Madrid its 8th Supercopa de España crown. After an impressive 2009 pre-season, he established a solid mark in the team. He concluded the first season as the league’s top scorer with his 22 goals. And in the next season, he finished second behind his fellow Argentinean Lionel Messi.
The quest of the Argentinean squad will continue as they go up against the formidable Germany squad led by Joachim Low and star players Misrolav Klose and Thomas Mueller. Higuain will play a big role in this Quarterfinals match and he needs to be aggressive in attacking the defense to put some pressure on Germany.
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