Gonzalo Higuaín, Inter Miami’s most recent signing and Designated Player, lived a dream night in the team’s road win over the New York Red Bulls. The Argentine striker opened his account for the team, scoring a sublime free kick in the 81st minute to earn a 1-2 victory for Inter Miami and its second road victory. Higuaín was also selected as captain in the absence of Luis Robles and was selected as Heineken Man of the Match after his strong performance.
After the match, Higuaín expressed his happiness for scoring a goal in the win and leading his teammates as captain for the night.
“It wasn’t relief that I felt because all my career I’ve felt the pressure to score goals and try to perform at the top level. Obviously I’m happy with the goal because it helped the team win,” said Higuaín.
“I’m proud. Rarely have I been selected as captain and having the responsibility to captain a team in such an important match was an honor. I always tried to help the team, the important thing is to help your teammate and as captain I wanted to show that,” he added. “It made me really happy when Diego told me. I’m happy to be captain of this group of guys that worked themselves into the ground on the field today. When you’re captain of a team like that, it only makes you proud.”
The record-breaking forward put in a complete performance, scoring a goal, completing 15 of his passes, including two key passes, pulling defenders to open space for his compatriot Matías Pellegrini to find himself free in the box to score his first goal, and helping on the defensive end with three clearances.
Inter Miami manager Diego Alonso expressed his happiness with Higuaín’s performances since his arrival and his role as captain at Red Bull Arena.
“I think his arrival has been refreshing, not only today but also in the two previous matches in which he played well. He’s played exceptionally well in the three matches he’s played,” said the Uruguayan tactician. “With respect to his free kick, the emotion was at its peak. We had been waiting for a player of his quality and he's shown what we all expected and needed since he arrived: a player that can finish plays and helps us to be better."
“He has the requirements necessary as a person and professional to take a group forward and that’s why we gave him the captaincy,” he added. “He’s a guy who has been at the top level globally, he’s been at the best teams in the world as the best player and he arrived with a lot of humility to work and train to never waste a day, to do everything asked of him and be an example. That gave us the peace of mind to make him captain.”
Additionally, Higuaín hopes that the victory over the Red Bulls serves as a boost to go on a good run of results in the final stretch of Inter Miami’s MLS regular season.
“I’m very happy and proud of the team. The manager’s vision is great and he deserved it too. We all deserved it: the staff, the president, the sporting management, everybody that works in this Club. I think that today was a huge joy for everybody and hopefully we can maintain it in the coming matches,” concluded the Man of the Match.
