Breaking Gunnar Nordahl’s 66-year record for most goals in a Serie A season is a “fantastic moment in my career”, Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain said.

The Argentine notched a hat-trick in Napoli’s 4-0 home win over relegated Frosinone on Saturday to end the campaign on 36 goals, surpassing the mark set by Swede Nordahl for Milan in 1949-50.

“I was desperate to break this record,” Higuain, 28, told Sky Sport Italia.

“I have to thank everyone, particularly my family, the fans, the backroom staff, the club and my team-mates.”

Marek Hamsik opened the scoring for Napoli in the 44th minute and Higuain equalled Nordahl’s record with two second-half goals before eclipsing it with a brilliant overhead kick in the 71st minute.

“I needed to stay calm,” said Higuain.

“In the first half I struggled with my finishing but the team helped me and I got the hat-trick.

“This is a fantastic moment in my career.

“It’s difficult to comprehend – I’m hoping that soon it will sink in.”

Higuain broke the record in 35 matches, two fewer than it took Nordahl to reach 35 goals, and would surely have reached it sooner had he not served a three-match suspension following a red card against Udinese in April.

Napoli’s convincing victory confirmed their second place finish in Serie A, clinching qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Highest Serie A top scorers

36 goals
Higuain (Napoli) - 2015-16

35 goals
Nordahl (Milan) - 1949-50

34 goals
Nordahl (Milan) - 1950-51

33 goals
Angelillo (Inter) - 1958-59

31 goals
Meazza (Inter) - 1929-30
Borel (Juventus) - 1933-34
Toni (Fiorentina) - 2005-06

30 goals
Hansen (Juventus) - 1951-52

29 goals
Volk (Roma) - 1930-31
Borel (Juventus) - 1932-33
Mazzola (Torino) - 1946-47
Pivatelli (Bologna) - 1955-56
Di Natale (Udinese) - 2009-10
Cavani (Napoli) - 2012-13