Higuain: I thought I could play in MLS with 'a cigarette in my mouth'
Major League Soccer has posed a far greater challenge than Gonzalo Higuain expected.
Less than a year into his tenure at Inter Miami, the Argentine star admitted he underestimated just how competitive and difficult it would be in the North American league after spells at major clubs across Europe.
"I thought I would come here and play with a cigarette in my mouth and, instead, it is difficult," he said on Christian Vieri's Twitch channel, Bobo TV, as translated by ESPN.
"It is a tough league. I learned that it is similar to Italian football. In Spain and England it is easier to do well, while in Italy, if you do not know the league, you suffer."
Higuain added that former teammate Gianluigi Buffon played a role in his decision to consider making the move to the United States.
"A great friend of mine like Buffon told me, 'If you no longer feel that fire inside in training, if you no longer feel the determination to be at high levels, you have to go.'" Higuain said.
"Football gave me a lot but it was time to say 'enough' and find joy and fun and new football in a city that surprised me because it was wonderful."
The 33-year-old forward, who joined Inter Miami from Juventus, has scored four goals in seven appearances this season.
Higuain has also played for River Plate, Real Madrid, Napoli, AC Milan, and Chelsea.