It might seem a long time ago now, but there was a time this season when Inter Miami CF forward Gonzalo Higuaín had been relegated to a super-sub role.
Heading into the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs, that's no longer the case for the legendary Argentine, who has embarked on a torrid run of form down the stretch run of the season, which Higuaín has announced will be his last playing professional soccer. The resurgence has the Herons dreaming of a deep run as they start their postseason venture, which kicks off Sunday against reigning MLS Cup champions NYCFC at Citi Field (7 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes).
Speaking to ESPN's Taylor Twellman on the halftime broadcast of Saturday's Western Conference Round One matchup between Austin FC and Real Salt Lake, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville lauded Higuain's professionalism following his early-season demotion, which he referenced as a turning point for the 34-year-old striker.
"I suppose it’s Gonzalo is the biggest thing that I’m proud of," Neville said. "We spoke off camera about how there’s great potential, we’ve recruited really well but we needed time. And Gonzalo that day probably mirrored how we all felt. And he had a choice: Either return as a champion or his legacy at this football club wasn’t going to be great. And he promised me, assured me that [for] his legacy he wanted to be a winner. And our relationship has never, ever wavered, we’ve always had a lot of respect for each other.
"And from that moment I left him out against Atlanta and New England and earlier in the season against Red Bulls, he’s behaved and acted like a true inspiration, a world-class person both on and off the pitch, and I’d say that was the biggest thing I did," he added.
The postseason appearance bookended a remarkable turnaround season for Inter Miami, who finished finished sixth on the Eastern Conference table (14W-14L-6D, 48 points) after missing the playoffs a season ago. Neville said he hopes the positive trajectory the club has established this season will lead to him stay in South Florida long term, where he's helped oversee the club's faster-than-expected rebuild.
"I hope so soon," Neville said regarding a potential contract extension. "My wife asks me every single day. But I think our motivation, I trust the owners that I work for. I think they’re honorable people, I think they like the job that I’m doing. And I think in life I’ve always been brought about earning, earning the next thing that comes your way.
"And I think the season is still hopefully a long way to go for us. I want to focus purely, purely on the game tomorrow night and hopefully the game beyond that and I’ll sit down with David [Beckham], Jorge [Mas], Jose [Mas] and Chris Henderson and hopefully I can extend my stay at this football club and in this league, because honestly this league is incredible to work in and this club is one of the best I’ve ever worked in."
