Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain insists criticism of his weight did not bother him, despite being “slaughtered” over the summer about the issue.
Higuain was panned for appearing to be out of shape on his Juve debut in a pre-season friendly against West Ham United, but the €90m man has gone on to score nine goals in his first 18 competitive appearances, while sporting a leaner frame.
“My dream? Winning many trophies with Juventus,” the former Napoli star told Corriere della Sera.
Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain insists criticism of his weight did not bother him, despite being “slaughtered” over the summer about the issue.
Higuain was panned for appearing to be out of shape on his Juve debut in a pre-season friendly against West Ham United, but the €90m man has gone on to score nine goals in his first 18 competitive appearances, while sporting a leaner frame.
“My dream? Winning many trophies with Juventus,” the former Napoli star told Corriere della Sera.
“I want to return their faith me by scoring lots of goals and achieving lots of victories. As a person, I’d like to start a family, find the right wife and become a better person every day. When I leave football, I’d like to be remembered for what I did.
“I think the most difficult League to score in is this one [Serie A].
“My first goal for Juve a liberation? I’d scored over 300 career goals, so it wasn’t a liberation. But it was a tough summer.
“They slaughtered me. They said I was bad and so many other things. Then I scored and I was suddenly in great shape. I didn’t understand it.
“Bothered by criticism of my weight? No, but if anyone has any doubts, they can ask for the physical data from my Coach, who’s very happy with my work.
“From the outside, people say Juve are strong, they won 25 games in a row and so on. Then you come here and you say to yourself, ‘wow’.
“There are players here who have won a lot but still have this desire to win more. It’s something contagious and that gives you the desire to improve.
“Seeing Buffon and Barzagli give everything for football makes the difference. This is the mentality that takes you a long way.
“I’ve joined a team where my teammates, Coach and the tactics are new for me and it’s going as I imagined: I’ve scorred nine-10 goals in 19 games, I’ve almost played every game, and when I’ve had to go on the bench, I’ve gone on the bench.
“I have the humility to understand the Coach’s decisions. In any case, we’re the only team top of their League and Champions League group.
“The Scudetto? Now it depends on us winning or losing. We’re four points clear at the top. If we lose, it’s because we did wrong. It’s simple.
“The Champions League? We have to improve a lot in our way of playing, but we have players good enough to do so.
“We also must always take to the pitch with the right attitude, contrary to what we did at Genoa.
“Being Capocannoniere? The most important thing is to win the title, that’s what I’m here for. Then, if I score so many goals, it’s even better.
“Fortunately, I’ve already exceeded the 35-goals record, which has stood for 50 years.
“How do I feel? I took a blow above the knee, but I’m fine now: I feel 100 percent, I’ve improved in other ways and I’m conscious that my teammates and coaches are happy with what I’m doing.
“My relationship with Allegri? It’s a tranquil one. We’re still getting to know one another, but there’s great respect.”