Player profile

The 22-year-old could be handed a starting role despite playing just 146 minutes in the qualifying campaign. Overlooked during Maradona’s first year in charge, his electric form for Real Madrid this season made him impossible to ignore.

He scored on debut against Peru and also netted the winner in Germany in March. Maradona never explained why he ignored Higuain during his first year in charge, but the Argentine media claim it was because of personal differences with Fernando Gago and Gabriel Heinze.

He joined Real from River Plate in 2007 for €13m but did not immediately establish himself as a key first team player. His chance came in 2008 following the sale of Robinho and a serious injury to Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Karim Benzema’s arrival last summer left his place under threat but he responded with his most prolific campaign yet. He netted 27 Liga goals, a tally bettered only by Lionel Messi.

Despite his success with River and Real, his international career took a while to take off. Eligible for France, he turned down a call-up from Raymond Domenech in 2006 but had to wait two years to make his senior debut for Argentina.

Higuain’s refusal to play at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, when he reportedly said “I’d rather go on holiday than go to that”, led some to question his commitment to his country.

Born in France while father Jorge was playing professionally for Brest, he holds dual French-Argentine nationality. However, he returned to Argentina as a baby and does not speak French.