The tenure of the third-leading scorer in Crew SC history could be coming to an end after six seasons.

Midfielder Federico Higuain, 32, told The Dispatch on Thursday that the 2017 season will be his last in a Crew uniform.

“I don’t know what will happen, but I think it’s the finish of the cycle, you know?” said Higuain, who has totaled 48 goals and 40 assists since 2012. “I’m sure the Columbus Crew will not lose too much without me — but maybe another team in or out of the United States will win something.”

The Argentine said the choice to make the 2017 season his last in Columbus is his own.

“Yes, it’s mine,” Higuain said. “It’s mine because what I gave to this team, for me, was good. … I don’t know. It’s tough.”

When informed of Higuain’s comments by The Dispatch, Crew coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said he still sees a window to work out an agreement with one of the team’s two designated players.

“I don’t think this is abnormal. Any player in his age profile always is concerned about their future,” Berhalter said. “We want to discuss it, and it’s something we will discuss.

“I think hopefully we’ll be able to solve it sooner rather than later, but it’s something where we’re focused on the transfer window and winning games.”

Higuain made a near-immediate impact when he was signed as a designated player in July 2012, scoring five goals and adding seven assists in his first 13 games with Columbus.

From 2013 to ’15, Higuain continued to make his mark on the central attacking midfield position, totaling 30 goals and 25 assists in the regular season and playing a key role in the Crew’s run to the 2015 MLS Cup final.

Higuain missed 14 games last season and was slowed by a hernia surgery. Healthy to begin the 2017 season, he got off to a hot start, totaling nine goals and five assists in his first 18 games.

The subject of Higuain’s long-term health has come up on a few occasions over the last couple of seasons, and the midfielder has often countered that the hernia was the first major injury of his career. Earlier this season, he took issue with the narrative that he permanently lost a step after his extended absence in 2016.

“When I’m healthy, I think I’ve always done well for this team,” Higuain said in May. “I think the analysis was bad, but it’s OK. It’s part of the game. I understand.”

Higuain missed just one game in the first four months of the 2017 season — a 1-0 loss at Chicago because of a sore ankle — but he has not played since July 1. He sat out the Crew’s 1-0 win over Minnesota on July 4 to rest and has missed an additional three games with a right knee sprain suffered in practice last month.

Higuain was upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s game at San Jose. He was “limited” in Thursday’s practice, Berhalter said.

Berhalter and Higuain had a lengthy, one-on-one conversation as practice wrapped up Thursday, which Higuain acknowledged was, in part, about his future. Berhalter said he believes Higuain’s situation in Columbus is still reconcilable.

“Absolutely, he has always been a big part of this team,” Berhalter said.

According to MLS Players Union data, Higuain is set to earn $1.05 million in guaranteed compensation this season. He is the Crew’s highest-paid player.

Higuain’s brother and agent, Nicolas, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.