Milan midfielder Lucas Biglia admits he thought about retiring from international football and prefers Gonzalo Higuain to Mauro Icardi.
The former Lazio man spoke to La Nacion newspaper and did not hold back in his criticism.
“In 2014, Germany took along a 36-year-old player for one reason: so he could end his career as the all-time World Cup top scorer,” said Biglia, referring to Miroslav Klose.
Milan midfielder Lucas Biglia admits he thought about retiring from international football and prefers Gonzalo Higuain to Mauro Icardi.
The former Lazio man spoke to La Nacion newspaper and did not hold back in his criticism.
“In 2014, Germany took along a 36-year-old player for one reason: so he could end his career as the all-time World Cup top scorer,” said Biglia, referring to Miroslav Klose.
“In Argentina, we constantly question and doubt players who have given so much to the Seleccion. They put on a show and people bought it, bringing that frustration with them to the stadium.”
The tension around the squad reached fever pitch after the Copa America Final, when Leo Messi retired from international duty, only to later change his mind.
“Nobody expected us to reach the Final, but once we did and lost, they slaughtered us. They destroyed the bond we had with the fans.
“Then there was another show put on by the media, about who was friends or not with Messi, who would be frozen out because of that. There was the intention to damage us and that will always be corrupting. We in Argentina are destroying ourselves.
“I confess, I did think about leaving international football after the Copa America. When I missed a penalty in the Final, I asked myself: ‘Do I really need to keep putting myself through this?’ As the days pass, you cool down and new targets appear in your mind. You realise that you want to continue defending the country and playing important tournaments.”
Diego Armando Maradona recently named Biglia specifically as an example of a player who should never have represented Argentina.
“I respect his opinion. He was an idol and I’d prefer to keep that memory.”
Maradona was also very critical of Inter striker Icardi, preferring Juventus man Higuain.
“That’s another show that the media puts on,” replied Biglia. “I was asked which striker I’d rather have for my team and the one I’d always choose is Pipa. That’s not because we are friends, which we are, but simply my opinion. He is everything I want from a Number 9.”