SOCCER
Chicharito: “I admire Bellingham’s ability to adapt”
The former Real Madrid, Sevilla, Man Utd, Galaxy... striker, who is completing his recovery from a torn cruciate ligament, spoke to AS from Los Angeles.
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández speaks with AS from Los Angeles just weeks after the conclusion of his contract with the Galaxy. He reflects on, and passionately responds to, topics such as his recovery, the pursuit of new challenges, his time at Real Madrid, the impact of Jude Bellingham and Santiago Giménez, the crises at Sevilla and Manchester United, the respective futures of the Mexican national team and Xabi Alonso, and much more. Here’s how the conversation went...
How are you feeling after the cruciate ligament rupture you suffered five months ago?
I’m doing very well, very happy. Regarding my knee’s physical condition, I can say I am very satisfied with how everything is progressing. We conducted some physical tests, typically done six months after surgery, but we wanted to do them a month earlier. The result is that the knee is as if it has undergone six or seven months of recovery. What we achieved was to confirm that the knee is doing very well. And I say all this because my agent, Lorenzo, and I want it known that I am a natural hard worker. Age is just a number when you approach things in a very organized way, with very good intentions, and trust the people I am trusting today, who have spectacular talent. The best years are coming due to this mix of experience, knowledge, and overall growth, but also because my body is responding in a way that doesn’t seem like I’m 35. This new experience of being a free agent is also very special.
Javier, listening to you talk, you convey the enthusiasm of a young player...
Yes, absolutely. I am going through a learning process. I see everything as an opportunity and a challenge. This has been the first time I’ve completely stopped. I am starting to play with the ball again, and I want to be very honest. I won’t abuse the sport. If my body doesn’t respond, I will be the first to say ‘thank you very much’ and make room for another footballer.
Javier, when do you think you might be ready to compete again?
I envision that I can compete by February. All the clubs are aware of this, and we are letting them know. We are going to fully respect the evolution of the knee. We won’t be overly cautious and perhaps wait too long, but we also won’t be reckless and take unnecessary risks. That’s why I say February, as I believe we will reach a point where we are neither overly cautious nor overly eager to take shortcuts.
“I envision that I can compete by February.”
It’s been a few weeks since your contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy ended. How do you evaluate this period?
I assess it very positively because the most challenging and negative moments I experienced in that institution were truly extraordinary circumstances. If you look at it, the first and last years, which were the most complicated times due to COVID and then this year with the injury. What I take positively are the two years in which I scored 17 goals in 21 games, netted 19 goals in the third season, and was nominated for the league MVP. I captained the MLS All-Star game, led the team to victory against the Mexican league stars, secured a playoff berth, and defeated Nashville as the captain. After COVID, everyone said I should retire, but I came back. At 34 years old at that time, I was the third player with the most minutes played. The first was the goalkeeper, the second was Julián Araujo, and the third was me.
And now? What attracts you: the United States, Europe, Mexico…?
Any offer anywhere in the world obviously has pros and cons. There is no ideal opportunity or scenario because even if you imagine that Manchester or Real Madrid wanted you, there would always be drawbacks. I am open to anything depending on the club, the country, the offer... The most important thing is that the institution shows me trust. Being a free agent allows you to evaluate what is most important. No institution can say that I haven’t worked among the top 5 hardest workers, and that’s what I can promise, something always within my reach. I also know that within my leadership, I will bring out the best for that organization, for that institution, and for winning. I want to win, and to win, sometimes I have to put the team’s benefit ahead of what I may or may not want.
How do you view the Saudi Arabian market from Los Angeles?
When there is competition, you should not be scared or complain. Competition makes you better. It doesn’t matter if it’s Saudi Arabia, the United States, Brazil, or wherever. It’s an opportunity to grow and expand. More opportunities for players, more opportunities for coaches, more opportunities... I am not in favor of Arabia or against Europe. I am neither in favor of Europe nor against Arabia. I am in favor of growth. I take everything to grow. Wherever I am and however it is, I grow. I am always in favor and in support of opportunities and competition.
Do you believe that the competition from Saudi Arabia helps the growth of leagues in the United States, Europe...?
Absolutely. You won’t worry about a competition that cannot possibly affect you. Europe has not worried about the league in another country. If many players want to go there, they must be doing something right.
“If many players want to go to Saudi League, they must be doing something right.”
Returning to the United States, how has Messi’s arrival influenced MLS?
I believe it has all stemmed from a domino effect since the early players, whom I want to recall. From Pelé when he played, even though it wasn’t in the MLS, but he played in the United States. From there, it has always started to act as a domino effect. In this league, they knew their trajectory was long-term and not about conquering everything in five years. Instead, they want to build a league with solid foundations. If it takes 20 years, it doesn’t matter, but it is the first time they have a Ballon d’Or winner in the MLS. Sometimes people prefer to stay in their comfort zone, and I understand that, but I am a person who can see more in the medium and long term, and I prefer to bet on instant gratification. I left Sevilla because they didn’t give me the opportunities they promised, and then I go to Los Angeles. We were going to build an organization; we were going to show why I made that decision for the medium and long term. And now, I don’t need them to tell me that Chicharito was right; it’s not about that. But I decided something right for the Ballon d’Or winner to decide to come.
You are the top scorer for the Mexico national team. It must be exciting to put on the national team jersey again.
You have to stay grounded. I know it’s very complicated. That’s why I’m very eager to do it. Beyond representing my country, putting on the green jersey again, playing again because that also means I am in great footballing form and being considered. Because I want to be called for who I am today. And representing your country is always a dream. It means you are one of the best Mexican players at that moment. So, yes, obviously, I want to put on the green jersey again. And I think many people also wish for that.
We’ve talked about America, Saudi Arabia, now let’s jump to Europe. How do you remember your time at Madrid?
I believe the affection with Madrid is mutual, as evidenced by us having this interview. Madrid is Madrid, but in Spain, I also had a short stint with Sevilla. In Madrid, I knew the role I was going into. But due to circumstances, I was given an important role for two, three, four months, and I did it with honor. We all know who Benzema is, but it was even said that Madrid needed Chicharito to be the number one. Both in Madrid and Sevilla, they know I gave it my all.
“For a few months in Madrid, I did it with honor.”
How do you see it from a distance?
Apart from the dignity and what Madrid represents, they are getting results. Real Madrid encompasses so much that it’s very difficult to understand exactly how they win. All the players know they have to win. Real Madrid is about dignity, respect, commitment, and fight.
What do you think of Ancelotti?
Ancelotti is one of the best coaches in the history of football. He knows how to manage the group very well and get the most out of his players. And technically, he has always surrounded himself with people who know and can deliver results.
Are you surprised by Bellingham?
What surprises me the most is that he is scoring so many goals. No one expected him to be such a complete attacking midfielder. The most beautiful aspect of being at Madrid is that pressure, which, if you use it as an opportunity, makes you a better player. At Real Madrid, you have to prove that you are one of the best players on the planet. In Madrid, you lack nothing. And if you don’t have the personality to see pressure positively, it can suffocate you. In Madrid, you don’t have to stand out; you just have to not be out of place. And then, you have to show that you can shine. Many people get lost there due to panic. Everything at Madrid is designed for you to shine. And Bellingham is like that. He didn’t expect to score so many goals, but Madrid gives you an opportunity for growth that you didn’t know existed because that pressure doesn’t exist in any other club.
“Everything at Madrid is designed for you to shine.”
Can it be said that Bellingham has understood the pressure of Madrid?
Absolutely, yes. And what I admire most is his adaptability.
You speak like a coach.
No, no. I am going to continue being a footballer until I don’t see it anymore. And then, the idea is to own a team.
Well, as a future president, who would you sign for Madrid: Haaland or Mbappé?
Madrid can have both. If the Galácticos existed...
“Haaland or Mbappé? “Madrid can have both…”
Do you see your former teammate Xabi Alonso as a future coach for Real Madrid?
Absolutely. He has a way to go to become one of the best coaches in the world, but he will achieve it. And if he becomes one of the best, he could be in Madrid’s portfolio.
And Rafa Márquez as a strong candidate to coach Barça?
He is doing very well. He is preparing for that. If, by fate, it’s not at Barça, it will be at another elite team in Spain, England, or elsewhere.
Another compatriot of yours, Santiago Giménez, is making waves in Europe...
That player not only has a goal, which is something very valuable and hard to find, but he also has charm and charisma that make him special. I feel reflected in him. Sometimes it’s something genetic, but you also have to develop it. He has a lot to learn, obviously, because he’s very young. And he is experiencing things that will toughen him as a player and as a person in the national team and also in Europe. He has that desire to keep learning. Not just to achieve more things, but because he likes to learn. His father is one of the people who has marked my career the most. We spent very little time, a very stormy period in the national team, but that short time was deep and substantial, and I learned a lot from Chaco Giménez. Obviously, his son is someone special just for being his son, but everything he is achieving is a great honor for me. And I believe ‘Bebote’ can accomplish things that very few people in Mexico think he can achieve.
“Santiago Giménez not only has a goal, but he has charm and charisma.”
Are you surprised by Sevilla’s crisis?
It doesn’t surprise me because it’s a period of transition. I don’t like seeing Sevilla suffer like this.
Manchester United is another of your former teams and is also in crisis...
Manchester is also in transition, but this one is lasting a bit longer because it’s been many years. I think at Manchester United, it seems like they attempted to ignore the obvious issues for an extended period. Rather than taking a decisive approach to rebuilding, they chose to procrastinate and stretch out the situation. Now, after seven years, the expectations are higher, and winning is demanded without a thorough overhaul or starting from scratch. These are things that big teams sometimes find it challenging to understand because as a big team, you always have to stay on top, but sometimes you need to pause. I want Manchester to win. I mean, I prefer United to win regardless of whether I’m right or not, or whether things are done the way I want or not. I want them to win.
To finish, Javier. What message would you send from your experience to young players like Gavi or Yeremy Pino who have also suffered a cruciate ligament injury?
The process is everything. First, they will never face something they cannot overcome. But if something very painful is happening to them, it’s because there’s a deeper lesson than the superficial one. I hope they learn that it’s a lesson. And they should take advantage and fall in love with it, as they have the talent, those ages, and everything. Scoring a goal is just a consequence. Recovering from an injury is just a consequence. It’s all about the daily and constant process of who you are and who you are becoming as a footballer too. So, fall in love with the process, the process of your life. They have an extraordinary career ahead.