Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain clarified the comments he made during the World Cup which linked him to Barcelona by admitting that he actually wanted Lionel Messi at the Stadio San Paolo rather than exiting his current employers.
The 26-year-old Argentina international, who moved to Napoli under Rafael Benitez in the summer of 2013 for a transfer fee of €37 million from Spanish giants Real Madrid, has since then been an integral player for the Partenopei.
In a detailed interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport addressed to various topics ranging from his future to his objective for the Serie A this season.
“I wanted the World Cup and Scudetto double like Diego Maradona,“ he admitted. ”In 1986 he won the World Cup in Mexico and then the first title with Napoli a year later.”
“The first dream is gone, but the other is still intact. I am certain of being able to realize it in May at the end of the season.
“Did I wanted to move to Barcelona? I have always told the truth. I wanted to think only of the World Cup then and I had decided I would think about my future once I would return to Naples.
“Hence, I was quiet because I had nothing to fear. There was nothing to comment. If Messi spoke about me, then I can only be flattered.
“I believe that all the players would like to play alongside a great champion like Messi but that does not necessarily mean that one wants to go away. It can also mean that a champion like Messi can join the likes of me in the future.
“If he came to Napoli, that would be great.”
Higuain also spoke about Antonio Conte’s departure while shedding light as to whom he regards as the favorites for the Serie A this season.
“With him[Conte] on the bench, Juventus won 3 titles in a row. It’s definitely something to consider. Despite the absence of Conte, Juventus will still be the opponent to beat as Massimiliano Allegri is a good coach.
“AS Roma have reinforced and Rudi Garcia has a strong team. It will definitely be a more balanced league than the last season.
“I don’t think that there’s a team capable of getting 102 points this season like Juventus did last season.”
