Inter Miami midfielder Federico Higuain emotional as he announces retirement at age 37
One by one the Inter Miami players filed into a cramped interview room Friday afternoon to salute their beloved teammate, Federico Higuain, who was in the middle of announcing his retirement at the age of 37.
Saturday’s home game against New York City FC will be his last, he said in an emotional news conference as teammates offered gratitude and hugs. “One more year! One more year!” they chanted.
“I would love to play my entire life,” said the Argentine, fighting back tears. “No player wants to go through this. But this is how football is, this is how life is. Everything has an end.
“I am 37 and I take comfort in knowing I always gave my all. There is nothing left but to thank all the clubs that gave me the opportunity to develop as a footballer, all the people I worked with, all those who have helped me and taught me,” Higuain said.
He thanked River Plate, the Argentine club where he started, the Mexican and Turkish clubs he played for, and MLS clubs Columbus Crew, D.C. United and Inter Miami.
“I came to MLS in 2012, I feel part of it and in the next chapter in my life, I hope I can continue to be linked to it and go into coaching.”
Higuain has been working on his coaching license and sitting in on coaches’ meetings in recent months. Coach Phil Neville said “the door will always be open for him to keep learning as a coach at this club. He’s too important a character, he’s had too much influence on this place for us to just say goodbye.”
Although Higuain is one of the team’s lowest-paid players with a salary of $81,375, his value on and off the field was immeasurable.
Higuain’s career spanned 20 years and included over 400 appearances and over 170 combined goals and assists. But it isn’t his stats that make him so popular. It’s his humility, work ethic and love for the game. He is always the first on the practice field, last to leave and leads the running drills. His spirit doesn’t change whether he’s starting or on the bench.
He will serve as captain for Miami’s final regular season home match at DRV PNK Stadium (1:30 p.m., Univision), a game Miami needs to win to have any chance at a playoff spot.
“How do you measure someone’s popularity or influence they have on a group? You look for signs and signals,” Neville said. “When the group knew this was going to be his last game tomorrow, every single player and staff member came over to do something special for him. That is a massive sign. When he scores a goal, every single player congratulates him. When they want advice, every single player goes to Federico.
“So, when Federico sits back in his armchair and thinks about what he achieved in his career, I think what he should think about is the people he’s influenced. There’s only probably two or three players in this football club that the whole team would come over for and shout, ‘One more year,’ and give him a hug, cry. That is a testament to the man.”
Neville said when he took over the team last January, he didn’t expect the elder Higuian brother to be much of a factor. Then he saw him play alongside his more celebrated brother, Gonzalo, against Philadelphia, and they both scored.
“That was the game that really pushed me into thinking this man has got something inside him that’s beyond the age on his birth certificate,” Neville said.
Federico said Friday that having a chance to play with his brother was a lifelong dream and he has enjoyed every minute of it. Asked for his favorite moments with Inter Miami, Higuain said “All the moments, from the first day until tomorrow — the good, the bad, the games I played, the games I didn’t. All the moments are beautiful for me.”
Neville said the team will be extra motivated to win Saturday for the fans, “who have suffered badly,” and for Higuain.
“We’ve had massive disappointments on the field, tomorrow we can flip the emotion into a celebration of someone and how do we celebrate best? By winning.”
It will be a tall task against a fourth place New York City team that beat Miami 2-0 earlier this season. Miami’s season finale is on the road against first-place New England.
“These two games are ‘How much do you want to be here next year?’ ’’ Neville said. “For me, tomorrow’s the start of the rebuild. This is about attitude. Don’t put your flip flops and sun cream on. We’re winning this game tomorrow. The players are suffering, they’re hurting, they’re disappointed, frustrated, angry, sad. Tomorrow is a chance for them to prove they deserve to be back at Inter Miami come Jan. 17 for preseason training.”
This story was originally published October 29, 2021 at 5:08 PM.