Former Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez is unlikely to appear at this year’s World Cup, despite Mexico’s qualification.
The 33-year-old became a much-loved figure during his time at Old Trafford where he won two Premier League titles. He netted 59 times for the United, including the final goal of Sir Alex Ferguson ’s reign, prior to his 2015 exit to Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Real Madrid striker is now at MLS outfit LA Galaxy, for whom he has netted 24 times in 39 games. But, despite his form, he is not getting a look-in with the Mexico boss.
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In fact, Hernandez hasn’t played a competitive game under Tata Martino since March 2019 and has been somewhat frozen out of the set-up. He missed last summer’s Gold Cup and is unlikely to travel to Qatar this winter.
When asked about Chicharito ’s constant omission, Martino answered (via Goal ): "Javier Hernandez is not here because the coach hasn't picked him in the last three years.
"I've got nothing to share with this media. Everything that happens in the national team is dealt with in the national team."
He later admitted that Hernandez is having a good spell at LA Galaxy but still refused to select him. The attacker is Mexico’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals.
Hernandez had a tough few years on the pitch after his stint at West Ham between 2017 and 2019. He also had a very rough time off the field last year. His grandfather and former Mexico international Tomas Balcazar died in April 2021 and Chicharito fell into depression. In an interview with The Ringer, he said: "I wasn’t the great human being I wanted to be.”
“In society, vulnerability is weakness. For me, vulnerability is one of the most powerful, strong and loving things that you can do for yourself and for humanity.”
Hernandez looks to be growing back into his old self on the pitch, which hopefully translates to his mental welfare off it. But that doesn’t mean he is anywhere closer to breaking back into Martino’s squad.
It looks like Hernandez will not get his international swan song on the global stage. Explaining his selection choices, Martino added (via the Mirror ): “I have leaned towards other soccer players, but in no case is there any analysis of Javier's current career that I do not know, I have simply chosen to call others.”
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