Higuain could have retired, says doctor

The back injury sustained by Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain could have ended his career, doctor Richard Fessler has revealed.

The Argentina international flew to Chicago in January to undergo surgery on a hernia in his back last campaign, missing over three months of action for the La Liga club.

The layoff has not seemed to hinder Higuain, who has netted nine goals in all competitions so far this season.

But doctor Fessler, who operated on the striker, has revealed that the 23-year-old’s career was hanging by a thread.

“An injury like the one Higuain suffered could make a player retire, so Gonzalo was lucky,” Fessler told Marca.

“The most important factor was his ability to recover, as well as the good work of all the doctors involved.”

“I believe he is almost completely recovered, perhaps he is still missing something but he is practically 100 percent recovered. He has been able to recover his game and I am happy to see him doing that.”