MEXICO
Cocca talks to ‘Chicharito’ Hernández: will Galaxy striker get Mexico recall?
Javier Hernández says new Mexico head coach Diego Cocca has called him to say he can earn a return to the international fold.
A major absentee during Gerardo Martino’s Mexico tenure was Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, the country’s all-time top scorer. However, Hernández could be in line for an international recall, after he revealed that El Tri’s new head coach, Diego Cocca, has assured the LA Galaxy striker that he’s in his thoughts.
Cocca tells Hernández “door open” for Mexico recall
“I received a call three weeks ago from Diego Cocca,” Hernández told a press conference this week. “He explained to me that the door is open to all Mexican players, including me - and that obviously [our chances of being called up] will depend on how we’re performing.
“I thanked him for giving me a call and he reiterated that we’re all in the same boat: the door is open to every Mexican player, we just have to win our place.”
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Injured ‘Chicharito’ misses season start
Hernández is currently returning from an injury that has sidelined him for the Galaxy’s opening games in the 2023 MLS season. For this reason, Cocca could not consider him for selection for Mexico’s recent CONCACAF Nations League games against Suriname and Jamaica.
Out of favour under former Mexico boss Martino
The last time Hernández was called up by Mexico was in September 2019, for his country’s friendlies against the United States and Argentina.
After reportedly breaching squad rules during that international window, the 34-year-old was then left out for the remainder of Martino’s tenure, which came to an end after El Tri exited the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.