slideshow
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández: from humble beginnings to national hero
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
In a little over a year, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández went from being a domestic soccer standout to an international fútbol star. Take a look at quick rise of Chicharito, who is not only a household name in his native Guadalajara, but all around the globe.
(image via
laschivasrayadas.com.mx)
Chicharito's maternal grandfather is Mexican soccer legend
Tomás Balcázar, who played for Chivas de Guadalajara in the '50s. Chicharito's nickname comes from his green-eyed father, Javier "Chicharo" Hernández, who played for Mexico in the '80s and early '90s.
(Jonathan Daniel/Getty)
In 2006, Chicharito made his debut for Chivas, coming in as a second half substitute. With less than 10 minutes left in the game, he
scored a goal to put Chivas up 4-0. Chicharito also suffered a slight injury during his goal celebration.
(Victor Decolongon/Getty)
Used sparingly after his professional debut, Chicharito
considered quitting Chivas – he joined the team's youth academy at the age of nine – to get a degree in business administration. But in 2010, he emerged as a bonafide star, scoring 20 goals in 28 games for Chivas.
(Clive Mason/Getty)
After his impressive run with Chivas, Chicharito was called to the Mexican national team. A good performance would earn him a spot on Mexico's 2010 World Cup squad. Chicharito didn't dissapoint, scoring
two goals against in a victory over Bolivia and
one in a victory over New Zealand. Chicharito's father
quit his job as a Chivas reserve coach when he found out his son would play in the World Cup: "I asked for permission to go to the World Cup, and they didn't allow me. I had to think about it for two days with my family and kids and I made the decision to quit because I want to go to the World Cup and see my son play. Work is secondary."
(John Peters/Getty)
On April 8, 2010, British soccer giant Manchester United
announced that Chicharito would be joining the club in the summer. The
signing of Chicharito, who was virtually unknown outside of Mexico at the time, was criticized by some as a move to increase Man U jersey sales in Mexico and the U.S.
(Christof Koepsel/Getty)
During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Hernández showed why Manchester United snapped him up so quickly: he scored the
first goal in a crucial victory over France. At the 1954 World Cup, his grandfather Tómas also scored against the French. In the round of 16 in South Africa, Chicharito also netted an
impressive goal versus Argentina.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
After the 2010 World Cup, Chicharito made his Manchester United
debut in an exhibition match against the Major League Soccer All-Stars. Chicharito
scored a goal within 20 minutes of entering the match.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
Despite his success in exhibition matches, would Chicharito be able to perform against top-level competition? The answer would be "yes," as Chicharito scored a goal – albeit an
awkward one – against Chelsea in his competitive debut.
(Alex Livesey/Getty)
At only 5'9" and 140lbs, many wondered if Chicharito could succeed in England's Premier League, which is famous for its fast, rough-and-tumble style of play.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
Despite his small stature, Chicharito used his speed and leaping ability to keep defenders guessing. Teammate Rio Ferdinand once
tweeted: "Chicharito just sat some1 down (#silks) then dispatched! Love it! This kids an assassin in the box!"
(Michael Regan/Getty)
Chicharito's composure under pressure
impressed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who began to bring Hernandez in from the bench to add a spark to Manchester United's attack: "He's first in and last out in the training ground every day."
(Mike Hewitt/Getty)
Chicharito continued to get playing time and he continued to score important goals, including a
backwards header against Stoke City that made headlines all over the world.
(Mike Hewitt/Getty)
Chicharito soon forged a solid partnership with Man U star Wayne Rooney, eventually snatching up a
starting spot from Bulgarian star Dimitar Berbatov.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
Chicharito, a devout Catholic, kneels down to pray before every start.
(Alex Livesey/Getty)
In a pivotal match against Chelsea, Chicharito scored one of the fastest goals in Premier League history (
36 seconds), earning his club a victory that virtually guaranteed that Manchester United would finish its season with a championship.
(Shaun Botterill/Getty)
Chicharito became the first player to score 20 goals in his first year at Manchester United since Holland's Ruud Van Nistelrooy. After Manchester United won the Premier League championship, Chicharito was
voted "Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year" by Man U fans.
(Laurence Griffiths/Getty)
After celebrating their 19th title, Manchester United and Chicharito quickly set their sights on a UEFA Champions League crown. But the Red Devils were humbled by a Barcelona squad that is considered by some to be one of the
best teams in the history of the game.
(Kent Horner/Getty)
After a storybook season with Manchester United, Chicharito has become a hero in Mexico, where he is seen as one of the few
bright lights in a country battered by a violent drug war.
(Rick Yeatts/Getty)
Despite his rising profile, Chicharito is reluctant to bask in the spotlight. When asked if 80,000 fans packed Cowboys Stadium to watch him play in a recent Gold Cup match with Mexico, Chicharito gave a familiar
response: "I don't think people came to watch me, they bought a ticket to support the Mexican national team. I'm wearing the same green jersey as my teammates."
(Kevork Djansezian/Getty)
In the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Chicharito led Mexico to a
championship, scoring seven goals and capping off the tournament with a 4-2 comeback victory over Mexico's bitter rival, the United States. Hernández was both the tournament's top goal scorer and the Gold Cup MVP.
