"It's not their problem, it's up to you" - When Gonzalo Higuain commented on playing with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain believes he was fully versed in the rigors of playing alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. No striker has appeared more times alongside the superstar duo than Higuain. He has played together with the Portuguese in 180 matches and with Messi in 61 matches.
He was a teammate of Lionel Messi for almost a decade on the international level. The two of them appeared together for La Albiceleste in the 2010, 2014 as well as 2018 FIFA World Cups, among others.
Meanwhile, Higuain first shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together at Real Madrid. They were briefly reunited after the Portuguese joined Juventus in 2018.
Speaking to La Nacion in 2021, Higuain insisted that he understood the duo perfectly well.
"If I am the footballer who has played most with the two, then I was the guy who best understood both of them. To understand Cristiano and Messi... it's not their problem, it's up to you," said Higuain.
He continued:
"If I played the most with them, it's because I understand them both perfectly. I knew what they liked, what they didn't like, how they felt most comfortable and most uncomfortable."
Higuain went on to add that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi trusted him on the pitch.
"I think that what they liked about me was that I... how can I say it without sounding boastful... that I didn't try to fight for 100 per cent of the play with them. So they felt they could also depend on me," said Higuain.
He concluded:
"When they have a player on their side who depends on them 100%, they don't feel they are free of all responsibility. But with me, I think they felt they could count on me. They are two totally different players and I had the privilege of enjoying and learning from both."
Gonzalo Higuain left Turin in 2020 to join Inter Miami and retired two years later.
Is the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated football for close to two decades now. The dynamic duo have pushed each other to the limits of their capabilities and have set the benchmark for excellence in football.
The Argentinean now plies his trade with Inter Miami in the MLS, while the Portuguese is with Saudi side Al Nassr. Neither have shown signs of slowing down any time soon.
However, their absence from the Ballon d'Or shortlist this year perhaps hints that it is now time for a new superstar to step up.