Gonzalo Higuain: Inter Miami striker ends career with MLS Comeback Player of the Year award
By Chris Smith
Inter Miami forward Gonzalo Higuain has added one final individual honor to his collection by picking up the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award for 2022.
The 34-year-old recently announced his retirement at the conclusion of the current campaign, in which he scored 16 and provided three assists in 28 MLS appearances, only 20 of which came from the start.
16 of Higuain's 19 direct goal contributions came during his final 15 appearances of the campaign after struggling to even get on the field early on due to his own poor form and the emergence of Wolves loanee Leonardo Campana. The veteran striker scored 14 goals and set up another two during that run.
Higuain's resurgence inspired a turnaround in form for Inter Miami that saw them climb back above the MLS Cup Playoffs line, finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference.
The Herons lost 3-0 to defending champions NYCFC in Round One - a game that proved to be the last of Higuain's distinguished career that has seen him excel for the likes of Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan, and Chelsea, as well as picking up 75 caps for the Argentine national team.
Other star names to previously win the Comeback Player of the Year award include David Beckham (2011), Clint Dempsey (2017), and Carles Gil (2021).
Every MLS Comeback Player of the Year winner
- 2022: Gonzalo Higuain – Inter Miami CF
- 2021: Carles Gil – New England Revolution
- 2020: Bradley Wright-Phillips – LAFC
- 2019: Jordan Morris – Seattle Sounders
- 2018: Gyasi Zardes – Columbus Crew
- 2017: Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders
- 2016: Chris Pontius – Philadelphia Union
- 2015: Tim Melia – Sporting Kansas City
- 2014: Rodney Wallace – Portland Timbers
- 2013: Kevin Alston – New England Revolution
- 2012: Eddie Johnson – Seattle Sounders
- 2011: David Beckham – LA Galaxy
- 2010: Bobby Convey – San Jose Earthquakes
- 2009: Zach Thornton – Chivas USA
- 2008: Kenny Cooper – FC Dallas
- 2007: Eddie Johnson – Kansas City Wizards
- 2006: Richard Mulrooney – FC Dallas
- 2005: Chris Klein – Kansas City Wizards
- 2004: Brian Ching – San Jose Earthquakes
- 2003: Chris Armas – Chicago Fire
- 2002: Chris Klein – Kansas City Wizards
- 2001: Troy Dayak – San Jose Earthquakes
- 2000: Tony Meola – Kansas City Wizards
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