Higuain Relishing Real Madrid Challenge

Gonzalo Higuain is relishing the challenge of earning a place in Manuel Pellegrini's new look Real Madrid team and is enjoying the start to pre-season.

The Argentinian forward has seen the competition to play rise over the summer with the signing of Karim Benzema as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and the return of Alvaro Negredo.

Rather than be daunted by the prospect though, Higuain thinks that he can rise to the occasion and prove that he is worthy of playing for Madrid.

"I love challenges. We are all starting off from scratch. Whoever is in best form will play, and this will be good for the team," he told El Pais.

Pellegrini has different ideas to Higuain's previous coaches at the Bernabeu and the player is pleased that he is being able to express himself more already.

"The coach gives me the freedom to play wherever I want in attack, which serves me well because I feel very comfortable," he added.