Chicharito: “Going to the World Cup doesn’t depend on me”
The Mexico star was recorded by a follower when asked about his chances of being at the World Cup in Qatar. His response caused a stir on TikTok.
One of the biggest talking points in recent times has been Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández’s continued absence from the Mexico squad. It’s an issue which has been put both to the player, Mexico’s all-time top goal scorer, and current coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who definitively closed the door to Hernández for the Qatar World Cup 2022.
On Saturday, while Mexico were taking on Peru at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Chicharito was on target twice for LA Galaxy in their 3-2 win at San Jose Earthquakes. It’s interesting that while the 34-year-old is scoring freely, Mexico have been struggling to find the net, and have been experiencing problems up front.
So while the Galaxy No.14 had the ball in the back of the net twice at PayPal Park, 341 miles away, Mexico’s productivity in attack was practically non-existent as they struggled without injured forwards Raúl Jiménez and Rogelio Funes Mori.
The most striking image of the night was released hours after Hernández had hit his 17th goal of the current MLS campaign. When he was substituted in the 84th minute and reached the dug-out, a Mexican fan in the stands yelled at him: “Chicharito, we’re going to Qatar! Don’t let us die alone!”
Surprisingly, the player responded, and was heard to reply: “It doesn’t depend on me, Bro’” before turning to talk to team mate Gastón Brugman. The LA Galaxy captain’s reaction to the Aztec fan’s words went viral on TikTok, with many pointing the finger at Tata Martino, who argues that he is not the type of striker they want for El Tri.
Unfortunately, however much the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player might want to help his country in Qatar, everything seems to indicate that he will not be in the squad for this year’s World Cup. Qatar 2022 is his last opportunity to play at a World Cup after having starred for Mexico at South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, scoring four goals across the tournaments.