Why Did Higuain Leave Madrid?

By Alice Nichols

When Gonzalo Higuain left Real Madrid in 2013, it came as a surprise to many fans. The Argentinian striker had been an integral part of the team for seven seasons, scoring an impressive 121 goals in 264 appearances.

So why did he leave? Let’s take a closer look.

Background

Higuain joined Real Madrid in December 2006 from Argentine club River Plate for a reported fee of €12 million. He quickly established himself as one of the team’s key players, forming a lethal partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Success at Real Madrid

During his time at Real Madrid, Higuain won three La Liga titles and scored in two Copa del Rey finals. He was also the top scorer in the 2009-10 season with 27 goals.

So why did he leave?

There were several factors that contributed to Higuain’s departure from Real Madrid. One of the main reasons was the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as manager in 2013. Ancelotti preferred Benzema as his first-choice striker and Higuain found himself relegated to the bench more often than not.

The financial aspect was another factor. Napoli offered Higuain a lucrative deal worth around €37 million over five years, which was too good to turn down.

Frustration with playing time

Higuain had grown frustrated with his lack of playing time at Real Madrid and felt that he needed to move on to further his career. In an interview after signing for Napoli, he said: “I needed a change of scenery because I wasn’t getting enough playing time at Real Madrid.”

  • The desire for a new challenge

Another reason for Higuain’s departure was his desire for a new challenge. He had been at Real Madrid for seven seasons and felt that he needed to test himself in a new league.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Higuain left Real Madrid for a combination of reasons. His frustration with his lack of playing time, the financial aspect, and his desire for a new challenge all played a part in his decision to leave. While his departure was a blow to Real Madrid fans, he has gone on to have success at Napoli, Juventus, and Chelsea, proving that sometimes a change is exactly what is needed to take your career to the next level.