Gonzalo Higuain thanked Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri. “He’s getting the best out of me and I was struck by his sincerity.”
The striker has scored an extraordinary 21 Serie A goals in 21 games this season, which propelled his team to the top of the table.
“The thing that really struck me about Sarri was his sincerity. In five minutes he convinced me to stay, he has got the best out of me and I will always be thankful,” Higuain told Total Italian Football.
Gonzalo Higuain thanked Napoli Coach Maurizio Sarri. “He’s getting the best out of me and I was struck by his sincerity.”
The striker has scored an extraordinary 21 Serie A goals in 21 games this season, which propelled his team to the top of the table.
“The thing that really struck me about Sarri was his sincerity. In five minutes he convinced me to stay, he has got the best out of me and I will always be thankful,” Higuain told Total Italian Football.
“I am happy, I feel confident and it will be the best year of my career if we manage to win something. It’s difficult to think of reaching the record of 35 Serie A goals in a season, but I hope to keep going and for Napoli to keep winning, then we’ll see.”
If he scores more than 30 goals this term, would be pledge to shave off his beard?
“I don’t know, things have been going well since I grew it! First let’s get to 30 goals, then we’ll talk about it. I admit, the beard is a bit of a superstition.
“All goals make me happy, but if I have to choose it’s a winning one. Against Roma on home turf was a great goal, a difficult one, and I loved scoring it.”
Higuain has been compared to the Napoli legend Diego Armando Maradona, who was the key when they last won the Scudetto in 1989-90.
“I always want to improve, as that is what makes you a better player. I don’t like to describe myself, I prefer leaving that to others.
“I try to live a full life. If I haven’t been to every area of Naples, it’s because of the sheer love that people show to me. I do try to go out, as otherwise I’d die sitting at home.
“In Argentina you hear of the love that people have for Maradona in Naples, but until you come here and see it, you don’t really know. To be compared to him is extraordinary.
“It’s true that the fans are similar to in Argentina, as football is everything for them. The San Paolo is a lot like the Monumental and that is one of the greatest things for a player, when the people are just crazy about football.
“My father was nicknamed Pipa, so as I was the youngest in the family, I was nicknamed Pipita.”
Higuain showed his love for the fans by chanting the song of the moment, Un Giorno All’Improvviso, with the supporters after each game.
“I heard the fans chanting it a few games ago and I really liked it. I know the full song, it’s wonderful and it means a lot to the fans. I think they deserve our affection the same as they give to us.”