Higuain out four months following back surgery

Argentine striker and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain is expected to miss four months of action after back surgery for a hernia.

The 23-year-old Argentina international flew to Chicago in the United States to resolve a problem that has kept him off the playing fields since the beginning of December.

"The operation went very well," Doctor Richard G.Fessler said. "The recovery period is four months but to be get back to 100 percent after any operation takes a year.
"Higuain will stay in Chicago for a week for his back to be monitored. He will be able to walk immediately, stretch in a week, and to start to run in two or three.
"He will train in two months but he will not play for three or four months."

That news will be a blow to Real, who had hoped to have him back within two months, as it leaves them with one recognised centre forward in Karim Benzema moving into the crunch time of the season.

The French international has struggled to shine in Higuain's absence and even though Kaka has just returned to action after five months out following knee surgery, and Cristiano Ronaldo is in fine form, Real may decide to dip into the transfer market.
Jose Mourinho's side are still alive in three competitions, two points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga, in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup and they resume in the Champions League last 16 against Olympique Lyon next month.

This is a tough break for Real Madrid and it also reminds me to tell you (not that you need the help if you're reading this) to watch Barcelona whenever you get the chance. I've just started to remember to watch their games on GOL TV (with Ray Hudson!) and they are magical. They are truly the best club team in the world at the moment and Messi is still on his own planet.

Messi, Tevez, Higuain and Co. coming to America (sort of)

It is fitting that a day after Messi scored two brilliant goals for Barcelona in a Champions League win, comes the news that his national team (Argentina) could be playing a pair of exhibition games in the U.S. in March.

Henry Cardenas, whose Cardenas Marketing Network announced a partnership in February with the Argentine Football Association, will meet next week with officials of the U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation. He hopes to arrange games for March 24 and March 28, which is during a FIFA fixture window.

"Nothing has been finalized," Cardenas said Wednesday. "We would love to play the United States and Mexico. If not, it could be Canada."

With Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste are among international soccer's top attractions.

Cardenas said several sites for the games were under consideration, but the East Coast was less likely because of cool March weather.

Argentina last played against the U.S. in an exhibition at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., drawing 78,682 for a 0-0 tie on June 8, 2008.

Argentina will be preparing to host the Copa America, South America's championship, from July 3-24.

Clearly given the timing, don't expect Argentina to come to Gillette. If they do show up in the States, you can bank on the fact that it will most likely be in California, Floria and or Texas. Those are my best guesses of places that could accomidate such a big event.

Terrible miscue by Mexico, 2-0 Argentina

A terrible giveaway by Ricardo Osorio leads to a breakaway by Gonzalo Higuain. He dribbled around Perez with a pretty little move and like that it's 2-0 Argentina in the 33rd minute.

Salcido's long shot was pushed away theatrically by Romero. Mexico is on the ropes, they let that first goal completely ruin their day and you can't do that against a powerful machine like Argentina. Luckily for FIFA, like in the Germany win, the goal that wasn't counted probably won't mean too much since the Argentines will win by a couple.

2-0 Argentina in the 37th minute.

The three-headed monster says hello

Nobody can match the talent up front as Argentina: Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain. It's simply dirty.

Higuain almost made it 2-0 Argentines in the 21st minute as he broke free and had a shot saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Off the ensuing corner kick, Argentina defender Walter Samuel should have done better since he was wide open but he put his header right off the ground in front of him. It bounced harmlessly over the goal.

1-0 Argentina in the 26th minute.