Despite netting 31 times for his nation, it is the crucial goals he missed for which the Chelsea forward will be forever remembered
"To the joy of many, and maybe not so much for others, my time is up."
The words chosen by Gonzalo Higuain to confirm a fact already known by most summed up the difficult relationship he has sustained for years with the Argentina national team and its fans.
Now, as Higuain himself suggested, they will have to find a new target for their vitriol. The Chelsea striker has retired from international football, ending an almost decade-long association that brought hope and despair to player and fans in almost equal measure.