Javier Hernández Balcázar (born 1 June 1988) is a Mexican footballer who plays as a forward for English Premier League club Manchester United and the Mexican national team. Hernández plays with his nickname, Chicharito (Spanish: little pea), on his shirt. He previously played for the Mexican club Guadalajara, before becoming the first Mexican player to join Manchester United.
Hernández made his debut for Mexico in September 2009 in a match against Colombia. He has also represented them at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was the Gold Cup's top scorer with 7 goals and was named the most valuable player of the tournament. Hernandez is the tenth highest goalscorer of all-time for the Mexican national team.
Early life
Hernández was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco and first played in a recreation league when he was seven years old. His father, Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, himself a previous Mexican international striker, said he never thought his son would actually make it as a professional. Hernández joined C.D. Guadalajara at the age of nine and signed his first professional contract when he was 15.[5] He was set to play in the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, but an injury sidelined him from the team that ultimately won the championship.
Club career
C.D. Guadalajara
Hernández began playing with Chivas' lower division team, Chivas Coras in Tepic, Nayarit in the 2005–06 season. He made his debut for Chivas in the 2006 Apertura in a win over Necaxa at Estadio Jalisco. With the score at 3–0, Hernández came on as a substitute for Omar Bravo in the 82nd minute, before scoring the fourth goal of the game five minutes later. It was his only goal in seven appearances in 2006–07. He made a further six appearances in 2007–08 without scoring.
Hernández made ten appearances in the 2008 Apertura without scoring, but he scored four goals in fifteen appearances in the 2009 Clausura. In the 2009 Apertura, Hernández finished as the joint-third top scorer, with eleven goals in seventeen appearances. He started the 2010 Torneo Bicentenario with eight goals in five games. He finished as a joint-leader in the goalscoring chart for the 2010 Torneo Bicentenario, with ten goals in eleven games and after spent 5 matches without playing because an injury he suffered.
Manchester United
2010–11 season
Hernández made his United debut on 28 July, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Nani in the 2010 MLS All-Star Game; he scored his first goal for the club 18 minutes later, lobbing the ball over Nick Rimando from just outside the area after a long through-ball from Darren Fletcher.[17] Two days later, Hernández scored against Manchester United while playing in a friendly for his old club, Chivas; he started the game in a Chivas jersey and scored after just eight minutes. He switched sides at half-time, but he was unable to prevent a 3–2 defeat for Manchester United.[18] He scored for the third pre-season game in a row as he netted in a 7–1 victory over a League of Ireland XI at the newly built Aviva Stadium on 4 August.[19]
Hernández made his competitive debut on 8 August and scored his first goal in the process, netting United's second of a 3–1 victory over Chelsea in the 2010 FA Community Shield. He came on at the start of the second half and got on the end of a pass from Antonio Valencia before the Mexican's shot deflected off his own face and into the net.[20] On 16 August, Hernández made his Premier League debut as he replaced Wayne Rooney in the 63rd minute of their 3–0 home victory over Newcastle United.[21] He scored his first Champions League goal on 29 September, coming off the bench to score the only goal in an away win over Valencia.[22] He scored his first league goal for United in a 2–2 home draw against West Bromwich Albion on 16 October.[23] Eight days later he scored his first brace for the club, also his first away league goals, in a 2–1 away win over Stoke City.[24]
Two days on from this display, he came off the bench to score a last-minute winner, his first ever League Cup goal, in a 3–2 win over Wolves which sent them through to the quarter-finals where they were then knocked out by West Ham United.[25][26] On 1 January 2011, he came off the bench to head the winning goal in a 2–1 away win over West Bromwich Albion.[27] Hernández became the top scoring Mexican in Premier League history after opening the scoring in a 2–1 home victory over Stoke City on 4 January.[28] On 25 January, Hernández scored the equalising goal of a 3–2 comeback away win over Blackpool.[29] Four days later he scored his first FA Cup goal as he netted the winner in a 2–1 away victory over Southampton.[30] Hernández netted twice in a 4–0 away win over Wigan on 26 February.[31] Eight days later, he netted a late consolation goal in a 3–1 derby defeat away to Liverpool.[32] Hernández netted twice in a 2–1 home win over Marseille on 15 March, sending United through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[33] On 2 April, he scored the final goal against West Ham United as they came from two goals down to claim a 4–2 away win.[34] On 8 April, Hernández was revealed as a contender for the PFA Young Player of the Year award alongside teammate Nani.[35] He opened the scoring in the 2–1 quarter-final win over Chelsea in the Champions League, with the game ending 3–1 on aggregate, sending United through to the semi-finals.[36] He continued his goal scoring form on 23 April scoring the winning goal with a header in the 1–0 home win over Everton.[37] On 8 May, Hernández scored the opening goal in a 2–1 home win over Chelsea after just 36 seconds to leave United one point away from winning the title.[38] The goal against Chelsea made him the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 2001–02 season to score 20 goals for the club in his debut season.[39] Hernández capped his debut season with Manchester United by winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on 18 May which was voted for by the fans.[40] On 5 July 2011, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics named Hernández as the "World Goalgetter 2011", with 13 goals, ahead of other players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Giuseppe Rossi, and Lionel Messi.
2011–12 season
After participating in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico, Hernández returned to Manchester United to begin pre-season training in New York ahead of the 2011 MLS All-Star Game. On 26 July 2011, he was taken to the hospital after suffering a minor concussion after he was hit on the head with a ball during a training session; he was cleared the next day, but did not take part in the game.[42][43] On 28 July 2011, it was reported that Rafael Ortega, the doctor at Chivas, informed Manchester United that Hernández was suffering from a pre-existing neurological condition. Ortega also explained that Hernández had suffered from "acute migraines and "headaches" as a teenager.[44][45] He did not participate in any of United's pre-season matches, nor the 2011 FA Community Shield. He also missed United's opening game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.
Hernández made his first appearance in the 2011–12 season on 22 August in a 3–0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, coming off the bench for Danny Welbeck in the 79th minute.[46] He returned to the starting lineup on 10 September against Bolton Wanderers, scoring twice in a 5–0 victory.[47] On 15 October 2011, Hernández came off the substitutes bench to net a crucial equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield in a 1–1 draw. In the 81st minute Hernández gambled on Danny Welbeck's flick on from a corner to steal in and head the equaliser.[48] Hernández signed a new five-year contract on 24 October to tie him to Manchester United until 2016.[49] Hernández scored his fourth league goal of the season and the winner against Everton at Goodison Park, in a 1–0 victory on 29 October.[50] He then scored his fifth league goal of the season and the winner in United's next away game at Swansea City, a 1–0 win.[51] Hernández scored again in the following game at home to Newcastle United, when Wayne Rooney's shot was blocked by a defender and ricocheted back off Hernández and into the net. He was then carried off the pitch early in United's next league game away at Aston Villa, appearing to go over on his ankle without a challenge from an opponent. After the match Sir Alex Ferguson said he had sustained suspected ankle ligament damage and will be out for four weeks. On 18 December, Hernández made a surprise early return in a 2–0 win against QPR at Loftus Road as a 63rd minute substitute for Danny Welbeck. On 31 January 2012, Hernández scored his first goal since November, and his seventh goal of the season in a 2–0 league win at Old Trafford against Stoke City, scoring the first of two penalties.[52] Hernández continued his scoring form on 5 February at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, scoring the third goal of a three-goal comeback draw, heading in a cross from Ryan Giggs.[53] On 16 February, Hernández scored his first goal in the Europa League, in a 2–0 away win against Ajax in the round of 32.[54] He scored again in the second leg at Old Trafford on 23 February, but this time in a 2–1 home defeat. However, United still won the tie 3–2 on aggregate.[55] On 18 March, Hernández scored twice in a 5–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[56]
2012–13 season
Hernández began his third season with United on 2 September 2012, coming on as a 72nd minute substitute for Danny Welbeck in a 3–2 win against Southampton.[57] On 15 September, he was named in the starting eleven for the match against Wigan Athletic, playing all 90 minutes. Despite having a penalty saved in the fifth minute by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, Hernández scored his first goal of the season, as well as assisting in teammate Nick Powell's goal in a 4–0 victory.[58] On 23 October, Hernández netted a brace in a 3–2 comeback win against SC Braga in a Champions League group stage match after United had gone down 2–0 in the first half.[59] Five days later, he scored the winner against nine-man Chelsea in a controversial 3–2 win after he was deemed to have been in an offside position when scoring the goal.[59] On 10 November 2012, Hernández came on as a second half substitute and scored two goals as United came from 2–0 down to beat Aston Villa 2–3 at Villa Park. At the end of the match, Hernández claimed the hat-trick, but replays showed that his shot for United's second goal was hit wide until turned into his own net by Villa defender Ron Vlaar.[60] On 24 November, he scored his fifth league goal of the season in a 3–1 home win over QPR.[61] On 26 December Hernández scored United's fourth goal in the final minutes in a thrilling 4–3 win over Newcastle United at Old Trafford.[62][63][64]
International career
Mexico U20
Hernández was one of the 21 players called up to the Mexican U-20 national team for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada; he came in as a late substitute in the opening game against Gambia and scored Mexico's 3–0 goal.[65]
Mexico national team
Hernández playing for Mexico
On 30 September 2009, Hernández made his debut for Mexico against Colombia, where he made an assist in a 2–1 loss.[66] On 24 February 2010, Hernández scored two goals against Bolivia and had an assist for Braulio Luna's goal. On 3 March, Hernández scored a header against New Zealand, giving Mexico the lead in a 2–0 victory.[67] On 17 March, Hernández scored his fourth international goal to give Mexico a 2–1 victory over North Korea.[68] On 26 May, he scored a consolation header against the Netherlands in a 2–1 loss.[69] On 30 May, Hernández scored yet again, netting twice in a 5–1 victory over Gambia.[70]
2010 FIFA World Cup
On 11 June, Hernández made his FIFA World Cup debut during the opening game of the 2010 tournament against South Africa in a 1–1 draw, coming on in the 73rd minute to replace Guillermo Franco.[71] On 17 June, Hernández again came off the bench and this time scored his first ever World Cup goal, netting the first in a 2–0 victory over France by springing the offside trap, latching onto a through ball from Rafael Márquez, sidestepping Hugo Lloris and sidefooting into the net.[72][73] By scoring he emulated his grandfather, Tomás Balcázar, who scored against France in the 1954 World Cup.[74] He was elected as man of the match.[75] On 27 June, Hernández made his first start at a World Cup and netted his second goal of the World Cup, by turning Martín Demichelis on the edge of the box before sending a left-foot shot into the roof of the net,[76] in Mexico's 3–1 loss against Argentina in the round of 16.[77] FIFA's statistical analysis showed that Hernández was the quickest player in World Cup 2010, reaching a top speed of 32.15 km/h.[78]
Post World Cup friendlies
Hernández scored another goal in his first match for Mexico since the World Cup, in a friendly against world champions Spain on 11 August 2010. He scored after just 12 minutes of the match, but David Silva equalised for Spain in the last minute of play to claim a 1–1 draw.[79] Hernández scored his and Mexico's first international goal of 2011 as he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on 9 February.[80] On 26 March, Hernández scored two goals in an international friendly against Paraguay. He first connected with a pass from Pablo Barrera in the sixth minute of the match, before scoring off a low cross in the 29th minute, three minutes after teammate Andrés Guardado had made the score 2–0. He exited to a standing ovation in the 65th minute.[81]
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
On 5 June 2011, he scored a hat-trick, the first in his career, in a 5–0 win against El Salvador.[82] On 9 June 2011, he scored two goals, in the 36th and 76th minutes against Cuba.[83] On 18 June 2011, Hernández scored the winner in a 2–1 win over Guatemala to send Mexico to the semi-finals.[84] On 22 June 2011, he helped Mexico reach the Gold Cup Final after a 2–0 win over Honduras in extra-time, where he scored Mexico's second goal in the 99th minute. Hernández was the Gold Cup's top scorer with seven goals and was named the most valuable player of the tournament, in addition to helping his team to a 4–2 victory in the Final against the United States.[3]
Personal life
Hernández is the son of Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, who played for three different clubs in Mexico and was a member of the Mexico squad at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.[91] Javier Hernández Gutiérrez quit his job as manager of Guadalajara's reserve side in order to watch Hernández play in the World Cup in South Africa.[92] Hernández is also the grandson of Tomás Balcázar, who played for C.D. Guadalajara and played for the Mexican national side in the 1954 FIFA World Cup.[93] It was reported that Hernández would be joined by his entire family in England, including Balcázar.[94][95]
During his time at Guadalajara, he took business administration classes at the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac and lived with his parents.[5] In addition to his native tongue of Spanish, Hernández is fluent in English.[96] He is a Catholic.[97]
On 26 May 2012, Hernández became the Mexican ambassador for UNICEF, making him the third Mexican to serve this position, following César Costa and Julieta Venegas in 2004 and 2009 respectively.[98] As ambassador, he will participate in a number of activities to encourage children and teenagers to not abandon their education.[98] He was commemorated in a news conference, where he said he felt "proud and committed;"[99] nonetheless, he refused to answer questions on how he felt for not being able to attend the 2012 Summer Olympics and on his opinion of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification games.[99] His response was that he was "[at the news conference] to talk about UNICEF, not about [his] profession."[99]
Nickname
Hernández is commonly known as Chicharito, meaning little pea in Spanish, because his father, Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, was nicknamed Chícharo (pea) because of his green eyes.[100]
Style of play
Hernández has been typically described as a "goal-poacher", due to some of his goals being scored from close-range.[101][102] He has also been described by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as two-footed, very quick, in possession of a good spring, and a natural goalscorer. Ferguson has also said Hernández's style reminds him of former United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjær – the so-called "baby-faced assassin" who scored the injury time winner against Bayern Munich in United's 1999 Champions League triumph.[103] Hernández's former team-mate Jesús Padilla described him as "amazing in the air" despite his height.[5]
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