Italy Wants to see compatriot in Serie A

Luis Enrique: Barcelona can't rush Messi contract talks

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has said that he would advise his compatriot Lionel Messi about joining the defending Italian champions, should he decide to leave Barcelona.

Higuain joined Napoli from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013, but made a controversial move to Juventus in June 2016 after scoring 36 goals for the Neapolitan side.

"Of course I would advise Messi to play at Juventus," Higuain told Tuttosport.

"It's a tough league, especially when it comes to defending; I do not know if Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo would score the same amount of goals here, but we should [try to] see them here.

"What is true is that Serie A is difficult - I did well, I improved."

The 29-year-old forward is happy to have signed for Juventus and makes a comparison to Real Madrid.

"It's very similar, almost equal to Real Madrid," he continued. "In Madrid and Juventus, there is the goal to reach the final in every competition.

"But both teams are demanding: you can change the way that you play, but the mentality is that you have to win everything."

Analysing his time in the Spanish capital, Higuain was complimentary of Raul and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who both helped him with adapting to life at the highest level when he first arrived in January 2007.

"I have to thank Raul and van Nistelrooy," he followed on. "When I first came to Madrid, I was 18 years old and they helped me grow."

Asked about who was his idol growing up, it was former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker Ronaldo Nazario.

"I watch the videos of Ronaldo, the Brazilian - I started when I was little and I even watch them now," said Higuain. "He is the best in history in my position [striker].

"I liked his speed and his movements, and I was lucky to play with him for a month in Madrid before he went to [AC] Milan.

"Emulating him is impossible, but he is my idol and I will continue to study him."

Talking about the 90 million euros that Juventus paid for his services this summer, an Italian record, Higuain has stated that he does not feel the pressure but that he wants to return the trust that has been shown in him.

"I do not feel the weight of the 90m euros," he finished.

"If someone agreed to pay that much, it means that they have a lot of confidence in me and my challenge is to repay that faith to the club."