Born in Brest, France, on 10 December 1987, Gonzalo Higuaín transitioned from a youth prospect at River Plate to a primary striker for some of the world's most prominent football clubs. His professional journey spanned major European leagues, characterized by a predatory instinct in front of the net and the pursuit of numerous domestic titles across Spain and Italy.
Early Career and Transition to Europe
Higuaín debuted for River Plate on 29 May 2005 in a match against Gimnasia y Esgrima. His proficiency increased rapidly, leading to 10 goals in 17 league matches by the end of the 2006 season. This performance prompted Real Madrid to acquire his services in January 2007 for €12 million. While his initial seasons involved inconsistent output, he eventually became a key offensive figure, scoring 97 goals in 146 games during his peak at the club.
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In 2013, Higuaín joined Napoli for a fee of €40 million, securing a Coppa Italia in his debut campaign. The 2015–16 season proved particularly productive as he scored 36 goals, establishing a new record for the most goals in a single Serie A season. Juventus signed him in 2016 for €90 million, one of the largest transfer fees recorded at the time. His tenure in Turin included multiple domestic doubles and a 2017 Champions League final appearance.
International Representation
Although born in France, Higuaín held Argentine citizenship by 2007, enabling him to represent the nation at the international level. Over his career, he earned 75 caps and scored 31 goals for Argentina. He participated in three FIFA World Cup tournaments and three Copa América competitions, reaching the final in both the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América iterations before retiring from international play in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 December 1987, Brest
- Professional debut: 29 May 2005
- Real Madrid transfer fee: €12 million
- Napoli transfer fee: €40 million
- Juventus transfer fee: €90 million
- International goals: 31
- International caps: 75
- Retirement from professional football: 2022
Questions readers ask
Which major clubs did Higuaín represent?
He played for River Plate, Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Inter Miami.
Did Higuaín play for the French national team?
No. Despite being born in France, he obtained Argentine citizenship and represented Argentina internationally.
