Higuain: ‘Juventus forced me out’

By Football Italia staff

Gonzalo Higuain confirms Juventus “kicked me out” this summer, but insists he still feels “affection” for the club.

The Bianconeri signed the striker from Napoli for €90m in the summer of 2016, but after signing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer they couldn’t keep him on the wage bill.

Pipita was loaned to Milan with a €36m option to buy, and the Argentine admits he never wanted to leave.

“From the day of the Coppa Italia final I had an idea that something had broken,” Higuain confirmed to Gazzetta dello Sport, having been left on the bench for that match.

“And then they took Ronaldo. The decision to leave wasn’t mine, I gave everything for Juventus and won a lot of trophies.

“Then Cristiano arrived and the club wanted to make a leap in quality and they told me I couldn’t stay, and that they were trying to find a solution. The best solution was Milan.”

Higuain will play against the Old Lady this season, and he was asked if he’s out for revenge.

“No, not at all. I only feel affection because they treated me very well. My teammates and the fans treated me really well, but I never asked to leave. Basically, as everyone says, they kicked me out.

“I immediately felt great love from Milan and they convinced me.

“What would I take from Juventus? They score and then they win, whereas we’re a team that scores but have to think about winning 6-3 or 7-4.

“We have to score and win like they do, and have their winning mentality in the defensive phase. We need to learn to score and then close out the match like Juventus do, they’re war machines.

“Obviously they also feel pressure when their opponents score, but so far no-one has been able to take the Scudetto from them.

“Max Allegri? He improved me in some aspects, how to help the team defend and how to attack the goal.”

Pipita’s initial move to Juve was controversial, as they activated the release clause in his Napoli contract, drawing the ire of the fans and President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

However, there is a long list of former players and Coaches who have fallen out with the owner.

“No, but it’s all of our faults, not his…” Higuain responded.

“[Ezequiel] Lavezzi left on bad terms, [Edinson] Cavani the same. With [Maurizio] Sarri on the bench he was already contacting another Coach and he got €94m for me.

“Everyone has had problems with him and people insult others. I have nothing negative to say about the Napoli fans, those were three beautiful years.

“They loved me and now they hate me. One day I’ll say what I think, but right now I can’t.”

Higuain was then asked about his idols as a child.

“All my life, [Brazilian] Ronaldo. I’d take everything from him, he was incomparable and there’s nothing I can do better than him.

“The most talented players I’ve played with were Messi and Guti. Everyone knows all about Leo and it was an honour to play with him, but Guti was the one who surprised me most.”

One big name who could join Milan is LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic…

“You’d have to ask the club, all I can say is that I like to share the pitch with great players and he’s one of those.”

Watch Serie A live in the UK on Premier Sports for just £9.99 per month including live LaLiga, Eredivisie, Scottish Cup Football and more. Visit: https://www.premiersports.com/subscribenow