LIGA MX
When will Javier Hernández make Chivas debut? Chicharito back in training
Veteran striker Hernández, who re-signed for the 12-time Mexican champions in January, rejoined group training on Thursday, as he closes in on his debut.
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández is moving closer and closer to making his second debut for Chivas Guadalajara. On Thursday, the striker trained with the first-team group at the club’s Verde Valle sports complex, signalling that the 35-year-old is now in the final straight of his return from injury.
Chicharito recovering from knee injury
Hernández, who has been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in June 2023, took to social media to share photos of his first training session alongside his Chivas team-mates.
Until Thursday, Hernández had been restricted to an individually-tailored workout regime, with Carlos Cisneros - who is recovering from a similar injury - the veteran’s only training partner. Cisneros also rejoined group training on Thursday, as did José Juan Macías, who has been out of action since Guadalajara’s Clausura 2024 win over Toluca at the end of January.
Striker rejoined Chivas in January
Anticipation among Chivas fans is at fever pitch as they wait for Hernández to make his first appearance since he rejoined his boyhood club on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the option for a further 12 months.
The forward, who ended a four-season stint with MLS team Los Angeles Galaxy in November, was unveiled at a packed Estadio Akron in late January, telling supporters: “I love Chivas, and that’s why I returned […]. Chivas will always be a great club - it is, and always will be, Mexico’s biggest club.”
Watch - Chicharito’s message to Chivas fans:
A product of the Chivas youth academy, Hernández scored 29 goals in 79 appearances for Guadalajara between 2006 and 2010, before joining Premier League giants Manchester United. During his 10-year spell in European soccer, the former Mexico international also played for Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United and Sevilla.
Chivas, who haven’t won the Liga MX title since the Clausura 2017, currently sit ninth in the Clausura 2024 standings, having taken 12 points from their first eight league games of the tournament. In their latest Liga fixture, Fernando Gago’s men host Pumas on Saturday.