Federico Higuain Discusses Finally Being Reunited With Brother Gonzalo at Inter Miami
By Max Cooper
Federico Higuain has admitted he is relishing the opportunity of playing and living alongside his brother and famous striker Gonzalo Higuain at Inter Miami, after the two footballers spent almost 15 years apart.
The 36-year-old joined David Beckham's new franchise in October 2020, having been traded by former side D.C. United. This switch meant Federico could unite with Real Madrid and Juventus legend - and brother - Gonzalo, who signed for the Herons in the summer.
The brothers have led very separate lives having both left River Plate in 2007 and, while speaking exclusively with 90min, Federico admitted he is now loving the opportunity he has been offered to make up for lost time with Gonzalo at Inter Miami.
"I’m happy to be with my brother, who I’ve seen just three days a year for the last 15 years. We are rediscovering ourselves as family members and having a good time. I hope that next year things will be even better."
It was evident from the manner in which Federico spoke of his brother that he was immensely proud of the prolific and successful career he has enjoyed, and he's ecstatic to be 'rediscovering' Gonzalo after so many years living apart.
He added: "Due to the pandemic, we trained individually, but we saw each other at dinner, in the afternoon to snack. We went from never seeing each other, to being together all the time.
"Rediscovering ourselves as brothers was good, because we are not the same people as when we were 16 or 17 years old. He has his family. He has his daughter. I have three children and fortunately we are not the same as we were. We have grown in every way, especially in the human sense.
"His career is incredible and I am very proud of him."
But what about Gonzalo Higuain the player? Federico admitted his brother has been forced to live 'with a lot of pressure and exposure' during his years at the peak of European football, but that is not the reason why he chose to leave Italy in the summer.
Instead, Federico praised the development and the growth of MLS during his eight years in America and hailed the competition as a 'beautiful league'.
"My brother is a person who has lived with a lot of pressure and exposure. But I don’t think he came to MLS because of the pressure or exposure or how the media, supporters or teammates treat him, as we are talking about a guy who played in the biggest games a footballer can play in.
"MLS is a very beautiful league. If you take it responsibly and manage the pressure, it can be ideal. Players from abroad have to take on that responsibility though, because the league is not easy.
"The arrivals of Beckham, (Thierry) Henry, Rafa Márquez, have promoted the league and have made players like us, seeing that we could face them, take the decision to come here. The American league has economic power to develop projects. Here they have made decisions which they have sustained over time and the result is a super competitive league."
Federico also admitted he is yet to meet Beckham, his club's president, as their paths haven't cross.
"I did not have the opportunity to meet him. I couldn’t meet him because of the pandemic, but I would love to," confessed Higuain.
Now approaching the final knockings of his career, we asked Federico where he would like to retire. His answer was family orientated.
"Here, playing with my brother."