Gonzalo Higuain Profile
Real Madrid's superstar talent leading Spanish league giants and looking to showcase skills at 2010 World Cup for Argentina is Gonzalo. Gonzalo "El Pipita" Higuain has been one of the top players for Real Madrid this season and in June and July, his talents in the attack will make Argentina one of the favorites to lift the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Fans around the world are looking forward to watch this magnificent player performing as his talents outshine many of the others in his group.
Gonzalo Gerardo "El Pipita" Higuain was born on December 10, 1987 in Brest, France. His father was an Argentinean footballer known as Jorge Higuain who played after previously lining up for Argentine giants Boca Juniors and River Plate. El Pipita's brother Federico plays for River Plate, where they played together in Gonzalo’s debut on May 30, 2005. Higuain left France when he was 10 months old with his parents, who returned to their homeland.
Gonzalo Higuain started his professional career with River Plate as a striker and attacking midfielder in 2005. He was quickly viewed as a rising star and rumors sprouted of him being wooed by European giants Liverpool, AC Milan, Lazio, Manchester United and Chelsea. The winner in the sweepstakes was Spanish powers Real Madrid, who agreed on a 12 million Euro transfer fee and signed a contract with Higuain until 2013 starting in 2006.
He made it with his Real Madrid debut on January 14, 2007 and scored just 10 goals in 44 games during his first two seasons during which Real Madrid won the La Liga on both occasions. His performance was excellent and all eyes were on Higuain from then onwards.
However, Higuain's real breakthrough came in the 2008/09 season when he scored 22 goals in 34 La Liga matches as Real Madrid's leading goal scorer. And his impressive run continued in the 2009/10 season. On May 14, 2010, Higuain had collected 27 goals in 31 league matches. Higuain also collected two goals in seven Champions League games, including his first ever Champions League goal on September 15, 2009 against FC Zurich.
Due to his birth in France, Higuain holds an Argentinean along with a French passport.
The French Football Federation attempted to get the forward to play for Les Bleus instead of Argentina - a move similar to French striker David Trezeuguet's, whose father is Argentinean but chose to play for France. Higuain was nominated by French coach Raymond Domenech for a friendly against Greece in November 2006. But "Pipita" turned down the invitation and he finally opened his international account for Argentina on October 10, 2009 against Peru.
Higuain has also been included in Diego Maradona's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"Pipita" is known for his speed, great striking ability and precision passing. He is also quick, elegant and has a strong knack for decision-making. Off the pitch, he is down to earth, simple and quiet-spoken.
One of the main perceived weaknesses is that he lacks the ruthlessness of a world-class attacker. His personality is very light and this probably deprives him of real gusto out in the field. Despite having a contract until 2013 and playing a huge role in Real Madrid's strong seasons, Higuain has drawn loads of interest from clubs willing to pay big, big money for his services. Among the teams interested are English sides Manchester City and Chelsea, the latter of whom has been linked to a 40 million Euro offer. For now though, his abilities will be judged to the maximum during the World Cup, after which his status in the world of soccer will be reassessed. Much is expected from the talented player during the following month. Who knows, he might just be the missing link that Argentina always needed since their last World Cup victory.
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