Emotional moment ex-Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain breaks down in tears after playing final game before retiring

ARGENTINE striker Gonzalo Higuain broke down in tears after playing the final match of his career.

The 34-year-old announced earlier this month that he would hang up his boots at the end of the MLS season.

And Inter Miami‘s 3-0 defeat to New York City FC on Monday night brought the curtain down on his illustrious 17-year stint as a professional footballer.

After the match, the emotion overcame him on the field as he cried while making his way off the pitch.

In his post-match interview, he then said: “I felt like what I had loved the most as a job had ended. It was half my life, my career, 17-and-a-half years.

“Images from my entire career came to my mind. Where I lived, where I worked, what I experienced and I’m leaving very happy because I gave it all until today. That’s the most important thing.”;

Higuain then went on to add: “The dream is over and another life begins.”;

Higuain played for a host of the biggest clubs in Europe including Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, AC Milan and Chelsea.

He won three LaLiga titles with Real, before claiming a Coppa Italia during a prolific spell with Napoli.

The South American then joined Juventus where he collected three Serie A title-winning medals, with brief loan spells at AC Milan and Chelsea during that time.

Three seasons with Inter Miami closed out his career as the forward ended with 335 club goals in 711 appearances.

He also received 75 caps for the Argentine national team, netting 31 times.

But a trophy alluded him at international level as he lost in the 2014 World Cup final, along with the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals.

Last month, Higuain appeared to suggest he would not stay in football after retiring due to the “unfair”; nature of the sport.

But following his farewell on Monday, he hinted he could stick around to help the next generation.

He said: “I don’t think there’s enough emphasis on the importance of mental health.

“Especially in football and I’d love to help young people.”;