體壇英語資訊：Higuain believes Barcelona can win treble

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain said on Thursday that he believed bitter rivals FC Barcelona were capable of winning a Primera Liga, Champions League and King's Cup treble. Barcelona qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

May 13 sees Barcelona face Athletic Club Bilbao in the final of the King's Cup, while Real Madrid trails Barcelona by six points in the race for the Primera Liga.

For that reason, Higuain admitted their rivals winning the treble was a possibility.

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (hidden) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Malaga during their Spanish First Division soccer match at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga April 4, 2009

"I do not think it is an exaggeration. They are very much alive in all three competitions and are playing very well, but this is football and anything can happen," he said on the official Real Madrid website.

However, that does not mean that that Higuain is giving up the race for the title.

"We will be right on their heels in case they do slip up," he added.

The forward also discussed recent declarations from goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who said Real Madrid lacks the players to be competitive in Europe.

The current Spanish Champion has crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 for the last five years -- something he hopes will change next season.

"Iker is the best goalkeeper in the world and I do not want to create any controversy with him. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. We are not in it because we were not able to make it to the next round," he said, confident of a change of fortune.

"Madrid will recover its European prestige, and I hope it happens next season," he said.

Higuain was also asked about his own future at the club, given rumors of new arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to the presidential elections that will be held on June 14.

He has also been linked to several clubs in the Premier League, but the Argentinean expects to stay where he is.

"I see myself here. I have a contract until 2024. There is always talk about players coming and going, but you have to stay calm and collected in such situations," he said.

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain said on Thursday that he believed bitter rivals FC Barcelona were capable of winning a Primera Liga, Champions League and King's Cup treble. Barcelona qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

May 13 sees Barcelona face Athletic Club Bilbao in the final of the King's Cup, while Real Madrid trails Barcelona by six points in the race for the Primera Liga.

For that reason, Higuain admitted their rivals winning the treble was a possibility.

Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (hidden) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Malaga during their Spanish First Division soccer match at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga April 4, 2009

"I do not think it is an exaggeration. They are very much alive in all three competitions and are playing very well, but this is football and anything can happen," he said on the official Real Madrid website.

However, that does not mean that that Higuain is giving up the race for the title.

"We will be right on their heels in case they do slip up," he added.

The forward also discussed recent declarations from goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who said Real Madrid lacks the players to be competitive in Europe.

The current Spanish Champion has crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 for the last five years -- something he hopes will change next season.

"Iker is the best goalkeeper in the world and I do not want to create any controversy with him. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. We are not in it because we were not able to make it to the next round," he said, confident of a change of fortune.

"Madrid will recover its European prestige, and I hope it happens next season," he said.

Higuain was also asked about his own future at the club, given rumors of new arrivals at the Santiago Bernabeu thanks to the presidential elections that will be held on June 14.

He has also been linked to several clubs in the Premier League, but the Argentinean expects to stay where he is.

"I see myself here. I have a contract until 2024. There is always talk about players coming and going, but you have to stay calm and collected in such situations," he said.