Overlooked Real Madrid stars ´suffering´ – Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain on Wednesday said his Real Madrid team-mates Marcelo, Fernando Gago and Karim Benzema are “suffering” after missing out on call-ups for the 2010 World Cup.

Left-back Marcelo, 21, was left out of Brazil’s provisional World Cup squad by coach Dunga on Tuesday, while holding midfielder Gago, 24, was overlooked by Argentina coach Diego Maradona and 22-year-old striker Karim Benzema did not make the cut for France.

“No-one wants to miss out on such a tournament,” said Higuain, who did earn a place in Maradona’s provisional squad, at a press conference.

“They’re suffering a lot but they’re young players who will have lots of other opportunities.”

Higuain, 22, declared himself “very happy” to have been selected by Maradona, after a season in which he has scored 27 league goals with one game remaining.

He is one of three Spain-based forwards in the Argentina squad alongside Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid.