Higuain 'a better player' after Serie A switch
Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain feels he has become a better player following his debut season in Serie A.
The Argentina international scored 24 times in all competitions last term following a move from Real Madrid in July - helping Napoli to the Coppa Italia title and a third-placed finish in the Italian top flight.
Having previously been at the Bernabeu for six years, Higuain claims the increased competition in Italy has helped improve him as a player.
"When I went to Spain it was a risk because I was really young," he told El Pais.
"But I quickly learned the game and I grew as a result. Serie A has been the same for me - except it's a more competitive league.
"Maybe the quality of the games is slightly less (than Spain) but from a tactical point of view it's a big step up.
"The defenders in Italy are stronger and that makes me better. Serie A is played in a different way to other leagues.
"I've become accustomed to playing against four defenders throughout my career but in Italy I have to play against five."
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Higuain is set to feature at his second World Cup in Brazil, having scored four times in as many games during the 2010 tournament in South Africa.