Gonzalo Higuain's 36-Goal Season For Napoli Proves He Is The Most Underrated Striker Of His Generation

Ciro Immobile won the European Golden Shoe this weekend for 36 goals in a single Serie A season - but Gonzalo Higuain did it first.

Immobile managed to outscore Cristiano Ronaldo in Italy this season to take home the Capocannoniere as well as the Golden Shoe.

While the Italian is right being lauded for his lethal finishing over the last 11 months, 14 of his goals came from penalties - while only three of Higuain's goals in the 15/16 season came from the spot.

The Argentine seems to be more remembered for his ill-fated loan spell at Chelsea and chilling on his phone during Juventus games, rather than being one of the deadliest finishers in world football.

Higuain joined Napoli in 2013 after a spell at Real Madrid and he hit the ground running straight away, managing to score 17 and 18 goals respectively in his first season.

2015 saw Maurizio Sarri take charge of 'Gli Azzurri' and he is the man who undoubtely got the best out of the 32-year-old.

It was this season he managed to net 36 times in 35 games, equalling Gino Rossetti's record for goals in an Italian top-flight season which had stood for 87 years.

He scored all kinds of goals, from typical striker headers to lovely slotted finishes to absolute rockets from outside the penalty box.

PA

How did Sarri get such a prolific spell out of Higuain? He told him to stop being lazy.

"I told him he was too lazy," Sarri told Sky Italia. "And if he didn't change his attitude, he'd never become the best centre-forward in the world.

"He in part agreed with that consideration, as he couldn't get 100 percent out of his capabilities. We spoke clearly, so this turned into an honest and direct rapport that probably helps motivate him."

Higuain and Sarri have now reunited at Juventus after a short stint together in the Premier League and he only netted eight goals all campaign.

His best years are behind him, but Higuain deserves to be remembered as a great when he hangs up his boots.

Topics: Gonzalo Higuain, Football News, Lazio, Football, Serie A, Ciro Immobile, Goals, Napoli

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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