Gonzalo Higuain Gunning to be World Cup 2010’s Top Scorer

While the likes of Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo spearhead FIFA‘s World Cup 2010 campaign, one player whose impressive record this season has yet to be paraded around the world is Gonzalo Higuain.

That’s all about to change in South Africa.

The best kept secret in La Liga. Gonzalo Higuain‘s prolific return of 27 goals in 31 league appearances stands him amongst the leaders for this season’s coveted European Golden Shoe award. No small feat considering he’s only been a professional since 2004.

An out-and-out striker with powerful upper body strength and an impressive soft touch for a big man, given the chance, Gonzalo Higuain could be the savior of Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

French-born Higuain arrived in European football on the back of a tremendous stint with perennial Champions of Argentina, River Plate. Bagging 15 goals in 33 appearances for Los Millionarios, the young striker caught the eye of Real Madrid and was quickly earmarked by Los Madridistas as a star for the future.

Scoring just two goals in 23 appearances during his rookie season at El Bernebeu had Madrid’s rivals rubbing their hands with glee. But those skeptics have since disappeared as Higuain’s form over the past two campaigns has improved considerably with the young Argentine bagging over twenty goals on both occasions.

With the dawn of a new era at El Bernebeu last summer, and the additions of Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema to Madrid’s frontline, many pundits felt Higuain would be squeezed out with a place on the bench his best bet. Not so. Ronaldo has posted excellent numbers in his first season in Spain but has been caught up in several on-field incidents that have hampered his star quality. Kaka has proved an almighty bust and Benzema is fighting an under-age prostitution sex scandal. Despite the incessant rumors swirling around his future – Manchester City and Chelsea have recently been linked with bids – Higuain has quietly gone about his business dragging Madrid to within one point of the Championship.

Bookmakers are currently offering 17-1 odds on Gonzalo Higuain to nab the World Cup 2010 Golden Shoe award. (We’ve already put on a tenner.) But while there are no guarantees in football, if Argentina do go the distance, Higuain could well be the next Salvatore Schillaci.

Ironically, the biggest stumbling block to Higuain’s progress at international level could come from his own manager. Sure, Maradona’s preference for attacking football ultimately plays into Higuain’s hands. But he’s not the only one. Argentina’s squad is bursting with attacking flair with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi all looking to take the field in the famed blue and white striped jersey.

With Gonzalo Higuain hitting the form of his life, you would be a fool to bet against the young striker leading Argentina’s line with Di Maria, Aguero and Messi in support. But we never said El Pibe de Oro wasn’t a fool

Gonzalo Higuain's Real Madrid form is crying out for World Cup time