Di Natale: ‘Higuain best in the world’

By Football Italia staff

Antonio Di Natale believes “Juventus will win their sixth Scudetto” and praises “best striker in the world” Gonzalo Higuain.

The Udinese legend famously rejected a move to the Old Lady, and while he has no regrets over his decision, Toto admits he’d have liked to play in the current Juve side.

“Facing Juve now is tough for everyone, but we’ve always played well in Turin,” Di Natale told Tuttosport, ahead of Udinese’s trip to Juventus Stadium on Saturday.

“Did I regret rejecting Juventus? Absolutely not. It was a life choice, with my heart: I wanted to stay in Udine with my family.

“People made me out to be stupid, but if I could do it all again then I’d do the same thing. At Juventus I wouldn’t have reached 209 [Serie A] goals, and when I see myself in that ranking alongside the likes of [Francesco] Totti, [Roberto] Baggio I understand that I've done something good in my career.

“The current Juve? Anyone would like to play for this Juventus, with [Miralem] Pjanic, [Gonzalo] Higuain and [Paulo] Dybala, who makes plays like a young [Lionel] Messi.

“I played against him, he's phenomenal. I think Udinese tried to bring him to Italy before Palermo did.

“Next year I think he will take the 10, he's perfect for that number. The 10 is like a Ferrari: not everyone knows how to drive it.

“I think he’ll do better together with Higuain, but it must be fun to link-up with Dybala, it's similar to when I played with [Alexis] Sanchez.

“Higuain is the best striker in the world, if he continues to score 30 goals a season he will reach my numbers. Given his age and ability, I think he's the only one who could pass me: he can score a brace every match. This year, the capocannoniere will be between him, [Mauro] Icardi, [Edin] Dzeko and [Marco] Borriello.

“Unless something cataclysmic happens, Juventus will win their sixth Scudetto. [Coach Max] Allegri has two teams available, and I’m just waiting for them to reach the top in the Champions League too.”

Di Natale left Udinese at the end of last season, did new Coach Gigi Del Neri try to bring him back?

“He knows me well, and knows that if I make a decision, I won't turn back after a few months.

“I said enough with football, with my mind and my heart. He's a good coach, he doesn't need me. I only hope that he uplifts Udinese.

“An off-field role? I would have liked to work with the young players, or beside the sporting director.

“Paolo [Maldini] is right, when you’ve made history with a club, like him at Milan and myself at Udinese, you can't agree to simply become the clown.

“Udinese is in my heart and I will always keep my door open to the club.”

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