No one can doubt that Javier Hernández is one of the best Mexican players in history, nor that the Red and White blood that runs through his veins. Chicharito' is back home and we want you to relive the best passages of his successful career, from his debut to his return to Mexico's most popular team.
1.- Debut and goal
September 9, 2006 will remain in the memory of Javier and all Chivahermanos. At the Jalisco Stadium, against Necaxa and with the score 3-0 for the Rebaño, 'Chepo' De la Torre decided to give him his first minutes in the First Division by substituting him for Omar Bravo. Three minutes from the end, 'Chicharito' responded with a great cutback and a better definition inside the area to debut as Guadalajara's goal-breaker.
2.- 2010 Bicentennial Goal Scoring Championship
Chicharito' left goals and good performances with Chiverío, both in the League and in the Libertadores Cup, to the extent that he was crowned Goal Scoring Champion in the 2010 Bicentennial Tournament, despite playing 6 games less than the rest of the strikers who competed for the title. In fact, he was the Mexican with the most goals scored in the 2009/2010 season, with 21 goals.
3.- Signing for Manchester United
On April 8, 2010, Jorge Vergara (r.i.p.) surprised Mexican soccer with a press conference at Old Trafford, where he appeared together with Javier to announce his signing for Manchester United for the end of that season, in what was the most important transfer of a National player to Europe at that time.
4.- Debut in World Cups
South Africa 2010 consolidated the image of 'Chicharito' at international level. Javier Aguirre included him in the list of 23 Mexicans to represent the National Team in the World Cup and he did not disappoint: like his grandfather Tomás Balcázar, before him, he scored against France in the group stage; later in the tournament he also scored against Argentina in the Round of 16.
5.- The first goal at the Akron Stadium
His farewell to Guadalajara took place on July 30, 2010 at the inauguration of the Akron Stadium, in a duel between Chivas and his new club, the Red Devils. Chicharito played the first half of the match as a Red and White player and caused the first goal scream in the stadium, with a perfect first-time shot after an assist from 'Bofo' Bautista. He played the second half for the first time in the ManU jersey.
6.- Champions League debut
His first goal in European competitions came in September 2010 at the Mestalla against Valencia. Sir Alex Ferguson sent the Mexican to the field at 77' and seven minutes later, he gave United the victory with a left-footed shot inside the area.
7.- Record striker
The Rojiblanco Canterano made National soccer history in just his first year in Europe: with 20 goals scored in all competitions, he equaled Luis García's record as the top Mexican scorer in his debut season in the Old Continent.
8.- First Premier League title
Also in his first year in England, 'Chicharito' played an active role in the 19th Premier League title in the history of the Red Devils. Javier contributed 13 goals in 27 matches, becoming an important replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson's team.
9.- Second Mexican to play in a Champions League final.
The icing on the cake for his first year at the highest level came on May 28, 2011, when Manchester United faced Barcelona at Wembley for the Champions League title. Although the Spaniards won the trophy, 'Chicharito' was a starter and played all 90 minutes with a good performance.
10.- Galactic signing
On the last day of the 2014 transfer market, Real Madrid surprised the world by announcing the signing of Javier Hernández to complement their attack. On September 1, the striker was presented to the media in the Spanish capital.
11.- Magical night in the Madrid derby
Merengues and Colchoneros faced each other for the ticket to the Champions League Semifinals on April 22, 2015 with 'Chicharito' as the great protagonist of the night. After a goalless draw in the first leg at the Vicente Calderón, they met at the Casa Blanca. It was at 88' when, after a combination between James Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo, Hernández scored the goal that defined Real Madrid's place in the final.
12.- Tricolor's top scorer
If there was any doubt that Javier was one of the best strikers in the history of the Mexican National Team, he confirmed it on May 27, 2017 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. In a match against Croatia and with 86' on the clock, his header made him the greatest scorer in Mexico's history, with 47 goals, a figure that surpassed Jared Borgetti.
13.- Russia and one more record
The Russia 2018 World Cup represented the third in Chicharito's career and brought with it another record that very few can achieve: in the match against Korea on June 23 in Rostov, Hernández became one of only three Mexican players to score in three different World Cups. Furthermore, his goal at 66' clinched the Tricolor's victory to secure their place in the Round of 16.
14.- Back home
Today, Javier is back where he belongs. After his time in England, Spain, Germany and the United States, he has chosen to wear the Guadalajara jersey once again. The Red and White 14 will once again wear and proudly defend the colors of the Rebaño Sagrado.
