Higuaín retires from Argentina duty "to the delight of many"
The Chelsea forward announced his decision on FOX Sports: "Now people don't have to worry themsleves about whether I'll be in the squad or not."
Chelsea forward Gonzalo Higuaín has announced his decision to retire from international football and taken a swipe at those who have criticised his performances for Argentina.
Speaking to FOX Sports, Higuaín said: “I think that’s the end for me. I’ve thought about it a lot and my time with the national team is over. I want to spend more time with my family. So to the delight of many and perhaps others not so much, I’m calling it a day as some of my other teammates have done. So now people can stop worrying themselves about whether I’ll be in the squad or not.”
Higuaín: "I've always tried to give my best"
Higuaín, who represented Argentina 75 times after making his debut in 2009 and played at three World Cups, scored 31 goals for the Albiceleste, leaving him sixth on the all-time list and three goals shy of Diego Maradona’s total.
However, Higuaín has proven a divisive figure in recent years and took the opportunity to defend his record: “In Argentina they criticize you more for the goals you don’t score than the ones you do. Goals in qualifiers are just as important as goals in World Cups. When people criticise you with malice everybody gets hurt. I’ve seen my family suffer more than I have. Everybody has their opinion and say that I lack this or that, but I’ve always tried to give my best.”