El Pipita: His Importance To Santiago Bernabeu

When we first bought him, no one expected that he would become the player that he is today.

Gonzalo Higuain aka "El Pipita" came with huge expectation. Many of the Santiago Bernabeu faithful thought that he might not have been a great signing in the winter of the 2006-2007 season.  

Who knew that the boy with the cheeky smile and modest nickname would become the player that he is today.

Meet Higuain

Nicknamed the little pipe after his father Jorge "El Pipa,"  Higuain was born in Brest, France and grew up in Argentina. Higuain was never expected to become such a great player but slowly and surely he has won the praise of the Real Madrid faithful.

He was signed as a young prospect and substitute but he climbed his way to an important first team player. Many coaches have passed since he was first signed, but he has shown to be able to adapt and conquer the hearts of Madrid fans.

At first El Pipita was known as a super sub, scoring goals at key game moments and really didn't seem to be challenging for a first XI spot. He was always put in late, and at vital moments of games to score. He was dubbed as a super sub. 

This didn't change when Bernd Schuster took charge of Madrid. Schuster started club captain Raul and Van Nistelrooy for many matches while Hinguain had to wait on the bench. But then things started changing.

El Pipita Blossoms

In the 2008-2009 season,  Madrid players were struggling with injuries and poor results.  At the time, the team really lacked strikers, so Higuain finally got a first team chance. He did not disappoint. 

That season El Pipita ended with a personal record of 21 goals. He saved Madrid's blushes with four vital goals against Malaga in a 4-3 victory and didn't stop after that.

Things finally blossomed for the young boy with the modest personality. Higuain was slowly but surely started to show the world why he was signed for a $13 million contract. He was developing into a world class striker.   

Many people thought the Higuain of the '08-'09 season might never comeback and would become a wasted talent. With club captain Raul and Benzema taking the starting positions, many people thought Higuain might never get a chance and would be demoted again to super sub instead of a vital starting XI player.

The club began looking like a 250 million team of flops after defeated Alcorcon. They needed someone to save their tarnished image.

El Pipita came to the rescue with two essential goals against crosstown rivals Getafe to not only save Pellegrini's job, but also to save Madrid. After that, Madrid's beloved Higuain was back with a BANG!

El Pipita started scoring again and in December, he was one of the most in-form strikers in Europe; he proved why with two braces in two games. Higuain scored two in an important 3-2 victory against Valencia C.F. that helped Madrid keep pace with one of the best Barcelona sides in the history of football.

He also netted twice in a 6-0 thrashing of Real Zaragoza to cap off a great—if not wonderful—December. His second of the night was most impressive; El Pipita sent himself up with a high shot to beat a defender and then finished it with a acrobatic-like side volley into the top left side of the net.

With that month El Pipita, was being dubbed as the next Raul and many of the Madrid faithful will hope he stays that long with the club.

Higuain doesn't possess the dribbling abilities of Messi, CR9's showoffy skills, Kaka's close control, or even Rooney's shooting. But he does have two very unique abilities that separates him from the rest and links him with Argentine legend, Batistuta.

Higuain has great pace and he has the classic Argentine ability to set himself up with either a chip, pass to himself or shot. One of the only reasons that he ever got the chance to play was because Higuain ran a lot.

El Pipita doesn't have many natural skills but he has skills that help him when it most matters for the team: He is a hard working, modest, and media-shy player. He keeps his personal life private. 

El Pipita will become one of the best strikers in Madrid's history if the media leaves him alone and his low-profile demeanor continues.              

Higuain's greatest weakness is his nervousness at the net but he has improved.  If he improves on his dribbling and his finishing in front of the net, then he will truly be legendary. Higuain is an outstanding player with a great work rate that many fans admire and respect.

What Should We Dub Higuain?

Messi is dubbed as the new Maradona; Ronaldo is dubbed as the new George Best. Who is Higuain dubbed as?

Many people say the next Raul Gonzalez Blanco, while some others dub him as the new Batistuta.

I don't think he should be dubbed because Higuain might possess the potential and skill of both players but he also has his personal touch in his playing style, He should become a new legend and not a second rate version of another legend.  

Let's hope Higuain continues to playing like he does now and that he heals from his injury without much trouble. Higuain will become a great player one day and I believe that if anybody's going to lead Madrid to Glory, it a team effort but also El Pipita's showings when Madrid most need it.

I believe that if Madrid didn't have Higuain, then Madrid wouldn't be where they are today. Let's hope Higuain, Ronaldo, Kaka, Benzema, Lass, Xabi, Pellegrini and the whole Real Madrid squad can lead Madrid to glory.

Higuain might not have won the Champions League yet, but he has truly has become a household name of every,  if not most of the Bernabeu faithfuls. And let's hope he will become a great legend that he was destined to become. 

Hala Madrid! Viva Los Blancos!