LIGA MX
Does ‘Chicharito’ Hernández have a problem with Chivas team-mate Guzmán?
On social media, videos have emerged that appear to suggest the two Chivas Guadalajara players have an issue with each other.
There are rumours of dressing-room strife at Chivas Guadalajara, who suffered a third straight defeat in all competitions in their 2-1 weekend loss to Club León.
On social media, users are sharing video footage that is being interpreted as evidence of bad blood between Chivas players Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández and Víctor ‘Pocho’ Guzmán.
Hernández twice seems to ignore Guzmán handshake
In one video, which shows the moment Guzmán was substituted in Chivas’ CONCACAF Champions Cup defeat to arch rivals Club América on Wednesday, every player on the bench approaches ‘Pocho’ to shake his hand - except Hernández.
In another piece of footage, filmed in the aftermath of Guadalajara’s Liga MX reverse to León on Saturday, Hernández can be seen shaking the hands of team-mates and opponents. However, when he and Guzmán come face to face, the striker turns away.
Chivas struggling for direct playoff qualification
Having rejoined Chivas in January, Hernández made his first start in this weekend’s home defeat to León, which was Los Rojiblancos’ fourth loss in their last five games.
Hernández was unable to score his first goal since his return to Estadio Akron, as strikes by Federico Viñas and José Alvarado secured victory for the visitors, despite Roberto Alvarado’s late penalty for Chivas.
The matchday-11 reverse left Fernando Gago’s men down in ninth in the Liga MX’s Clausura 2024 standings, three points off the top six.
Only the first six teams in the Mexican top flight qualify automatically for the end-of-tournament playoffs. Clubs finishing sixth to 10th must first negotiate a play-in round to reach the postseason proper.