Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain has said he is grateful for the fan support he is seeing after being the subject of whistles when he was brought on in the 78th minute to replace Lucas Pratto in the Albiceleste's 3-0 win over Colombia in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
After seeing his side thrashed 3-0 by Brazil last week, Argentina coach Edgardo Bauza made three changes against Colombia, including his choice of Atletico Mineiro forward Pratto over Higuain up front to start.
Pratto, along with Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria all scored to help Argentina end a four-match winless run and leapfrog their opponents into fifth place in the CONMEBOL standings.
Juventus striker Higuain was booed in San Juan when Pratto came off, and he took to Twitter on Thursday to thank fans who offered support after the incident.
He said: "It is nice to know that there are fans who genuinely value what one does. Hope you all have a great day." He also tweeted: "Good afternoon to you all. It makes me so happy to see all the messages of support that I have been receiving. Thanks so much."
Es lindo saber que hay gente que de verdad valora lo que haces. Buen dia para todos / grazie a tutti per il affetto di cuore.
- Gonzalo Higuaín (@G_Higuain) November 17, 2016
Buenas tardes a tod@s. Me pone muy contento todos los mensajes de cariño que estoy recibiendo. Muchas gracias.
- Gonzalo Higuaín (@G_Higuain) November 17, 2016
Higuain has been on-again, off-again for Argentina, first being benched by Bauza in September and replaced by Atletico Mineiro striker Pratto, who scored on his first international start in the 2-2 draw with Venezuela.
Juventus striker Higuain was brought back in October and scored in the 2-2 draw away at Peru.
#VamosArgentina Segundo cambio: ovacionado, se retira @PrattoLucas12. Ingresa @G_Higuain. pic.twitter.com/HlupvmfW7Q
- Selección Argentina (@Argentina) November 16, 2016
However, after failing to find the net in back-to-back defeats against Paraguay and Brazil, which put Argentina outside of the top-four direct qualification spots for Russia, Bauza once again started Pratto over Higuain against Colombia.
The Argentinian completed a €90-million move from Napoli to Juventus over the summer.
Juventus host Pescara on Saturday and face a tough test against Sevilla coming up in the Champions League.