I understand Ronaldo and Messi perfectly - Gonzalo Higuain

"

If I am the footballer who has played most with the two, then I was the guy who best understood both of them

," he told

. 

"To understand

and

... it's not their problem, it's up to you. If I played the most with them, it's because I understand them both perfectly. I knew what they liked, what they didn't like, how they felt most comfortable and most uncomfortable. 

"I think that what they liked about me was that I... how can I say it without sounding boastful... that I didn't try to fight for 100 per cent of the play with them. So they felt they could also depend on me. 

"When they have a player on their side who depends on them 100%, they don't feel they are free of all responsibility. But with me, I think they felt they could count on me. They are two totally different players and I had the privilege of enjoying and learning from both."

Despite his perfect scoring record at both club and international team, Higuain is also remembered for the chances he didn't score for Argentina - notably, an opportunity in the 2014 World Cup final that he missed.

"

Until 2014 I was the best No.9 in the world, and after Germany it was all over,

" he admitted. 

"Before that I had hit nine goals in the qualifiers, something nobody talks about, because let's not forget you have to score in the qualifiers to get to the World Cup. 

"Now I've moved past it, I'm past the criticisms, the harrassment, they can say what they want. Before it hurt me, I won't deny it, that wouldn't be honest, I have suffered and had bad times. 

Follow 

 for the