<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/folarin-balogun/">Folarin Balogun</a> is enjoying his most productive scoring season with AS Monaco, and Paris Saint-Germain became his latest victim. After netting a brace in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League clash against the Parisian side, the USMNT star broke a competition record previously held by Mexico legend <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chicharito/">Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez</a>.



After both teams failed to finish among the top eight in the league phase, Monaco and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/psg/">PSG</a> were drawn together, with the Monegasque side hosting Wednesday’s first leg. The match began smoothly for the home team, which found the opener before the first minute had elapsed.



After Nuno Mendes gave the ball away while attempting to build from the back, Monaco launched a lethal counterattack down the left, where Aleksander Golovin delivered a precise cross for Balogun to score a header just 55 seconds into the match.



In the 18th minute, Balogun laid the ball off to Maghnes Akliouche, who slipped a perfectly weighted through pass to send the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> striker one-on-one with goalkeeper Matvey Safonov. With a clinical finish inside the near post, he doubled the lead over the reigning European champions moments later.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">FOLARIN BALOGUN AT THE DOUBLE 🇺🇸💥 Less than twenty minutes in and the USMNT striker has the European champions stunned in Monaco 😤 <a href="https://t.co/eKJmu6APom">pic.twitter.com/eKJmu6APom</a>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/2023858090261578111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Balogun writes CONCACAF history in Champions League</h2>



With his brace against PSG, Folarin Balogun became the fastest player from CONCACAF to score twice in a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/champions-league/">Champions League</a> match. Although the game ultimately ended in a 3-2 defeat for Monaco, the two goals were enough for the USMNT forward to make history.


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The previous mark had been set more than a decade ago by Chicharito Hernandez while playing for Bayer Leverkusen. Hosting Matchday 3 of the group stage against AS Roma, the Mexican star converted a fourth-minute penalty and then struck again in the 19th minute after a pass from Hakan Calhanoglu in a thrilling 4-4 draw, with now Balogun outshining his record by just a minute.



With the brace, Balogun now has 10 goals and four assists in 30 appearances during the 2025-26 season. More notably, he has scored five times in nine Champions League matches. While still short of his most prolific European campaign (the 2022-23 season with Stade Reims, when he recorded 22 goals and three assists in 39 games) the striker appears determined to make further history in Europe with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.

USMNT’s Folarin Balogun breaks Mexico legend Chicharito’s record in Champions League after brace vs. PSG

USMNT’s Folarin Balogun breaks Mexico legend Chicharito’s record in Champions League after brace vs. PSG - World Soccer Talk

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Soccer fans are set for a nostalgic moment as&nbsp;former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/real-madrid/">Real Madrid</a> stars reunited in Mexico, rekindling memories of their time at the Santiago Bernabeu.&nbsp;James Rodriguez and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, who played together during the 2014-2015 season at Real Madrid, faced off as opponents in&nbsp;Liga MX’s Clausura 2025 tournament.



While&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/javier-hernandez/">Chicharito</a>’s spell at Real Madrid was brief, he made an impact with&nbsp;nine goals and nine assists in 33 appearances. Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/james-rodriguez/">James</a>&nbsp;enjoyed a&nbsp;sensational debut season, registering&nbsp;13 goals and 13 assists&nbsp;in La Liga, making him a key player under&nbsp;both Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.



Their careers eventually diverged, but fate has now brought them back to Mexican soccer, with James leading&nbsp;Leon’s attack&nbsp;and Chicharito making a much-anticipated return to&nbsp;Chivas, the club where his career began.



While two former Madrid stars met in a high-stakes <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/liga-mx/">Liga MX</a> showdown, another club in Mexico is making&nbsp;headlines with a blockbuster signing. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/sergio-ramos/">Sergio Ramos</a>, the legendary&nbsp;Los Blancos and Spain defender, is on the brink of&nbsp;joining Monterrey, a move that would bring one of soccer’s most decorated defenders to&nbsp;the Mexican top flight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/01/31042409/james-rodriguez-sergio-ramos-chicharito-real-madrid-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="james rodriguez sergio ramos chicharito real madrid" class="wp-image-551401" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



With Rayados in desperate need of defensive reinforcements following&nbsp;Carlos Salcedo’s ACL injury, club president&nbsp;Jose Antonio ‘Tato’ Noriega&nbsp;confirmed that Ramos is&nbsp;a serious option&nbsp;for the club.&nbsp;“The negotiation is on, and Ramos is on the list. It’s a real option among other possibilities,”&nbsp;Noriega stated.



<h2>Ramos’ special tribute to Real Madrid</h2>



According to Spanish journalist&nbsp;Juanfe Sanz of El Chiringuito, should the deal go through, Ramos has decided to&nbsp;wear the number 93 jersey—a nod to one of the most&nbsp;iconic moments of his career. The number&nbsp;93&nbsp;represents the&nbsp;93rd-minute header&nbsp;he scored in the&nbsp;2014 Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, which led to Real Madrid’s long-awaited&nbsp;La Decima (10th European Cup title).



Although&nbsp;the veteran traditionally wore kit number four, it is currently occupied by&nbsp;Víctor ‘El Toro’ Guzman&nbsp;at Rayados. The symbolic&nbsp;93&nbsp;shirt not only would pay homage to his past but also mark a&nbsp;new chapter in his illustrious career.



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Rayados have been working tirelessly to&nbsp;finalize negotiations&nbsp;with Ramos and his representatives. The proposed contract is reportedly worth&nbsp;€3.8 million per year, with potential&nbsp;performance-based bonuses. Initial discussions included a&nbsp;one-year deal with an option for a second year, though the defender’s camp prefers a&nbsp;two-year agreement.



While&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sergio-ramos-not-sold-on-joining-lionel-messi-in-mls-the-dream-destination-for-the-real-madrid-icon-revealed/">MLS clubs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;Argentine teams&nbsp;have shown interest in signing Ramos,&nbsp;Rayados remains his most attractive option&nbsp;due to their&nbsp;competitive squad and financial strength.



<h2>What did Monterrey coach say about Ramos’ potential arrival?</h2>



Rayados head coach&nbsp;Martín Demichelis&nbsp;has openly expressed his enthusiasm for&nbsp;bringing Ramos to Monterrey, emphasizing the impact his leadership and experience could have on the team.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/11/16024411/Sergio-Ramos-1-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="Sergio Ramos of Sevilla FC celebrates scoring" class="wp-image-539817" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



“We have to reinforce ourselves at the back with a great player to help us because sometimes the rivals score against us with minimal details. Can you imagine what Sergio Ramos would be for the Liga MX? I hope it can come to fruition,”&nbsp;Demichelis said after Rayados’&nbsp;3-3 draw with Atlas.



Given Rayados’ current&nbsp;defensive struggles, having conceded&nbsp;eight goals in four games, the addition of&nbsp;a world-class defender like Ramos&nbsp;could be the key to&nbsp;stabilizing their backline.

Sergio Ramos set to join Liga MX: Real Madrid kit number tribute awaits as he would unite with James and Chicharito

Sergio Ramos set to join Liga MX: Real Madrid kit number tribute awaits as he would unite with James and Chicharito - World Soccer Talk

After much anticipation, the Liga MX has added another A-lister for the 2024 Clausura. On Wednesday, Chivas announced that Mexican great <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chicharito-leaves-la-galaxy-what-now-for-mexican-striker-20231104-WST-467359.html">Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez</a> had officially signed with them.



The club made the announcement on their social media accounts, using soccer commentators from Mexico and Europe in a video. There are also legendary players and coaches from the player’s past, such as Sir Alex Ferguson of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> and Carlo Ancelotti of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a>.



“ChivaBrothers, it’s official! Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández returns to the team of his Amores for the Clausura 2024. We are convinced that his love for the institution, the experience acquired during his successful career and the leadership that characterizes him will be reflected in this new stage with Chivas,” <a href="https://www.chivasdecorazon.com.mx/en/noticias/37262/Chicharito-est-de-vuelta-en-casa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the club said</a>.



<h2>What did Chicharito say?</h2>



After his contract with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">LA Galaxy</a> ended at the beginning of the new year, Chicharito was free to sign with any team he wanted. He sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear last summer and has been training in Miami ever since.



Agents were hard at work renegotiating his return to Chivas, the team he had his youth career start with when he was nine years old, his hometown club. The 35-year-old <a href="https://twitter.com/CH14_/status/1750157469328855425" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced his move in a social media post</a>.



“My home, my family, my team, my everything. See you soon!”



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Insiders at Club Deportivo Guadalajara have spilled the beans on their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chivas-looking-to-sign-cade-cowell-chicharito-in-coming-days-20240105-WST-481508.html">new signing’s impending presentation</a>. All the specifics of the celebration, which will take place at Akron Stadium, are yet unknown. But according to Diario AS, Hernandez will be introduced as a new player for Chivas on Jan. 27.



<h2>Chicharito returns to Chivas after 13 years</h2>



Several clubs in the Major League Soccer, Europe, and Saudi Arabia reportedly offered him contracts, per <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39272056/chicharito-rejoins-boyhood-club-chivas-leaving-mls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a>. Nobody, however, could compare to the idea of going back to Guadalajara.



During his four years with the Los Angeles Galaxy, he made 82 appearances in Major League Soccer and scored 39 goals, leading his team to an All-Star selection in 2022.



Before relocating to the United States, Hernandez won two Premier League championships while playing for Manchester United in Europe. His journey continued with stops at Real Madrid, Sevilla, West Ham, and Bayer Leverkusen.



With 52 goals in 109 games for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/mexico-national-team-tv-schedule/">Mexico’s men’s national team</a>, he is the overall top scorer. However, he hasn’t had an El Tri appearance since 2019. All things considered, Chicharito has been out of action since June 7, 2023, and the US Open Cup Quarterfinals.



On Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, Chivas will open its Concacaf Champions Cup campaign against Forge FC. The striker’s availability in the match against Forge is still unclear.



In the 2023 Apertura regular season, Chivas came in at number five. Afterward, they lost in the quarterfinals in the subsequent playoffs. Former Boca Juniors and Real Madrid player Fernando Gago took over for the fired Veljko Paunovic as head coach of the club last month.



Since the start of the Liga MX Clausura season, Chivas has gone winless in two games. After a tie with Santos Laguna and a loss to Tigres, the Mexican giants dropped to 10th place in Liga MX Clausura.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Chicharito has new club: Official presentation set for January 27

After much anticipation, Liga MX has added another A-lister for the 2024 Clausura, as Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez returns to Chivas.

Chivas is looking to make some significant moves ahead of the 2024 Clausura campaign. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/liga-mx-tv-schedule/">Liga MX</a> club is reportedly set to sign Cade Cowell and Chicharito in the coming days. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/guadalajara-tv-schedule/">Chivas</a> will start their upcoming season with a home match against Santos Laguna on Saturday, January 13th.



<a href="https://www.foxsports.com.mx/2024/01/04/chivas-fichajes-2024-cade-cowell-de-seleccion-de-estados-unidos-seria-fichaje-historico/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FOX Sports Mexico</a> is reporting that Chivas has been negotiating with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/san-jose-earthquakes-tv-schedule/">San Jose Earthquakes</a> for weeks regarding Cowell. A potential deal between the two sides would be a historic move for the Mexican club. If completed, Cowell would become the team’s first-ever player who is already an established <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">United States men’s national team</a> player.



<h2>Signing Cowell would be a major coup for the Mexican club</h2>



Cowell most recently featured for the USA U23s back in November. However, the winger has made eight total appearances for the senior national team. After making his debut in late 2021, Cowell had to wait more than a year to earn another USMNT cap. Nevertheless, the highly rated youngster featured heavily during the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He managed to score his first senior goal at the tournament in a matchup with Trinidad and Tobago.



Although it is rare for USMNT players to make the move down to Mexico, Cowell does have ties to the nation. He is of Mexican-American descent through his mother’s side of the family. This means that he was eligible to feature for either the USMNT or <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/mexico-national-team-tv-schedule/">El Tri</a>. Cowell, however, has only ever featured for the United States at different international levels.



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Despite high ratings at the international level, Cowell has struggled in the early stages of his club career. The versatile forward netted just one goal and added three assists during the 2023 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> season with San Jose. Nevertheless, the youngster should develop and progress in the near future.



<h2>Mexican striker looking to return to former team</h2>



Along with signing a future star such as Cowell, Chivas seems likely to re-sign Chicharito as well. The veteran Mexico forward initially began his career with Chivas as a youngster in the late 1990s. After spending four senior seasons with the Mexican side, the dynamic forward made major moves to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayer-leverkusen-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Bayer Leverkusen</a>, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a>.



Chicharito spent the last four seasons of his career with MLS side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/la-galaxy-tv-schedule-see-the-galaxy-in-action/">LA Galaxy</a>. In all, the forward netted 39 goals and added seven assists in 83 total matches with the American side.



After three successful campaigns, the Mexican striker unfortunately ended his time in LA with a significant ACL injury back in June. He officially departed the team as a free agent in November. Although he is still nursing the injury, Chicharito has received offers from clubs across Europe and the Middle East. Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39243401/chicharito-hernandez-says-yes-chivas-return" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a> claims that the 35-year-old forward prefers a move back to his former club.



Chivas will be hoping the two potential new signings will give the club a major boost heading into 2024. The historic team previously finished fifth in the 2023 Apertura season. Chivas fell in the quarterfinals of the playoffs to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/pumas-unam-tv-schedule-watch-universitarios-games/">Pumas</a>.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Chivas looking to sign Cade Cowell, Chicharito in coming days

Liga MX side Chivas is reportedly interested in signing USMNT winger Cade Cowell and former Mexico striker Chicharito this month

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has finished his four-year tenure with the LA Galaxy.



The Mexican star signed a three-year deal with the Galaxy in 2020 after missing most of the 2019 season with an ACL injury in his right knee. After the 2022 season, his team exercised a 2023 option on his contract.



The conclusion of the year marks the end of his contract. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-mls-on-us-tv-and-internet/">MLS</a> club said Friday that they were releasing the forward because his contract had expired. Therefore, the Galaxy have made available a 2024 roster space.



“We are grateful to Javier for his dedication and contributions to the LA Galaxy,” LA Galaxy head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-part-ways-with-designated-player-javier-chicharito-hernandez" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said in a statement</a>. “In four seasons with the Galaxy, Javier was a passionate leader for our club on and off the field. We wish him all the best moving forward.”



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/12/chicharito-vela-among-mls-all-star-picks-to-face-mexico-stars/">Chicharito</a> also wrote a touching farewell on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzMh8GDgvgL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=5f3ffd99-d819-49e9-ae32-735867d1ea23&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a>, where he said, “Life becomes exciting when you allow yourself to change and evolve to new challenges. Thanks to everyone who was involved in my journey these four years.”



<h2>How did Javier Hernandez fare with the LA Galaxy?</h2>



After announcing earlier that winger <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/douglas-costa-unveils-next-dream-club-targets-staggering-return-20231028-WST-465643.html">Douglas Costa</a> will not be returning in 2024, LA now have two available Designated Player slots with the departure of the 35-year-old. Their star midfielder Riqui Puig is the only DP they have left following a disappointing 13th-place finish in the Western Conference and a subsequent absence from the MLS Cup Playoffs.



The 35-year-old had a rough 2023, scoring only once in 12 games in all competitions before suffering an injury in the summer. His last game for Galaxy was on June 7 against Real Salt Lake in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. His right knee’s ACL was then torn and he had to have surgery.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="676" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/16053635/hernan-1200x676-1200x676.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-467379" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Life in Major League Soccer was mixed for Chicharito</figcaption></figure>



The forward’s time with the Los Angeles Galaxy was fraught with highs and lows. He was tasked with replacing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ibrahimovic-to-play-on-as-long-as-possible-for-sweden-20220330-CMS-377619.html">Zlatan Ibrahimovic</a>. However, he will always regret leaving without an MLS Cup.



From 2020 to 2023, he started 71 of 82 games for the Galaxy. He finished with 39 goals and six assists. With 38 goals in 74 games played for the club, he is sixth all-time.



The Former Mexico international played in Europe for 11 years before joining the MLS. He spent time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham, and Sevilla. At Old Trafford, he won two <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> championships, and with Sevilla in 2020, he won the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Europa League</a>.



Before retiring from international play in 2019, Hernandez earned 109 caps for Mexico’s national team. He became the country’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals.



<h2>What next for Chicharito?</h2>



Chicharito did not specify where he would be going next. In the next January transfer window, he will be available to sign with any team he wants.



<a href="https://twitter.com/FerCevallosF/status/1720531245677867413" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fox Sports’ Fernando Cevallos</a> had earlier informed the player that he would be welcome back at Chivas. The Mexican club was where he made his professional debut. There are also rumors linking him to the Monterrey club Rayados de Monterrey.



Photo credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire : IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Chicharito leaves LA Galaxy: What now for Mexican striker?

On Friday, LA Galaxy confirmed that they have released Mexican striker Chicharito after his contract expired

<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/manchester-united/image/9876864?term=Javier+Hernandez" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9876864/manchester-united/manchester-united.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9876864" border="0" width="500" height="663" alt="Manchester United&apos;s Javier Hernandez &apos;Chicharito&apos; (top) celebrates a goal past Valencia&apos;s goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez during their Champions League Group C soccer match at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, September 29, 2010. REUTERS/Heino Kalis (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)"></figure></div></a> 
When Manchester United travelled to Valencia without Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, there was always going to the opportunity for somebody to step up into their shoes. Well five minutes from time young Javier Hernandez took his chance with a well taken goal that will have done his hopes of breaking in to the United first team no harm.
Big things were expected from the 22-year-old Mexican forward after his arrival in England earlier this year and after a goal, all be it a fortuitous one, in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea, expectations only grew further.
While he hasn’t been able to make an impact in United’s EPL squad, Hernandez’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims the Mexican is well aware that he must be patient for his chance: “He’s young he knows that.
“He’s developing a lot in his game and getting some good strength work in the gymnasium. He still has some work to do on that aspect. You can’t get away from the fact that he’s a fantastic finisher and he showed that, when he takes his chances it’s like shelling peas, with either foot.”
For those of you who don’t Ferguson’s pea analogy, it comes from Hernandez’s nickname as ‘Chicharito‘. This translates into English as ‘Little Pea’, Hernandez’s father who was also a professional football was known in Mexico as ‘Pea’ because of his green eyes.
Chicharito’s family tree aside, he does now have an excellent chance of breaking in to the United first-team. He obviously has the ability to score goals, which is an invaluable quality, and now he has proven that he has enough about him to do it on the biggest stage, expect Hernandez to get his EPL chance sooner rather than later.
Wayne Rooney’s ankle injury may also hasten Hernandez’s Premier League involvement. While admittedly I haven’t seen that much of the youngster, from what I have seen, he has the makings of a player that could be a real asset for Ferguson. His goal against Valencia showed that he has the natural class to score goals, and I wouldn’t bet against him scoring a fair few more in Rooney’s absence.
What do you think? Is Chicharito ready for the Premier League?

Is Javier Hernandez Ready For His Chance?

Is Javier Hernandez Ready For His Chance? - World Soccer Talk

<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/mls-all-star-game/image/9442610?term=javier+hernandez" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9442610/mls-all-star-game/mls-all-star-game.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9442610" border="0" alt="HOUSTON - JULY 28: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United warms up prior to taking the field during the MLS All Star Game at Reliant Stadium on July 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)" width="500" height="335"></figure></div></a>
Rarely have I seen a player make such an impressive debut for a club than the one I saw Wednesday night when Javier Hernandez came on as a second half substitute for Manchester United against the MLS All Star team. I’ve seen him play for Mexico before, but all of his skills were crystalized before my eyes in an incredible 30 minutes of action.
Simply said: This. Man. Is. Amazing.
Hernandez (aka Chicharito) possesses pace and skill that is far beyond the average Premier League footballer. He is a gifted two-footed player who is a natural goalscorer. And on top of that, he can launch blistering attacks that will definitely rip apart weaker defenses. This is, by far, the player I’m most looking forward to watching this upcoming Premier League season. The prospect of seeing him lining up alongside Wayne Rooney and seeing them create a goalscoring partnership is mouthwatering and I’m not even a Manchester United supporter.
The last time I saw a player make such an impression on me was when <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf9Q0jALXMY" target="_blank">Wayne Rooney scored a sensational goal against Arsenal</a> after the 16-year-old came on as a substitute. That was eight years ago. In between 2002 and now, I’ve seen plenty of players come and go, but no one has been close to the promise that Hernandez shows.

When he arrives in England and begins playing there, he’ll need to adapt to a different culture and lifestyle. And a much different style of play on the soccer pitch. But I’m hoping he can keep himself focused on doing what he does best, which is on the field.
Thinking back, Chicharito’s debut for Manchester United was far more impressive than that of one Cristiano Ronaldo. When the Portugese wizard began for United, he made an immediate impression but it was a combination of wonderful skills but with all of those silly stepover moves. Ronaldo, at the time, was also guilty of having a poor final cross. Over time, Ferguson and his coaching staff turned Ronaldo into a more complete footballer and Ronaldo’s stepover moves – for the most part – vanished.
But with Chicharito you have a player who is already more advanced than what Ronaldo was when he joined United. Plus Chicharito has already proven himself in the World Cup when he scored two goals for Mexico. Interestingly, he was clocked as the fastest player during the entire tournament.
If you want to see for yourself how gifted Chicharito is and how much he means to Mexico, watch Manchester United’s game tonight against Hernandez’s former team C.D. Guadalajara on ESPN Deportes and ESPN3.com at 10pm ET. The game was organized as part of the transfer deal that saw Chicharito move to United in April. This is going to be a wonderful game to see how well Hernandez plays on his home turf in front of a crowd of approximately 45,000. Plus, it’s the first game to be played at Chivas’s brand-new stadium, so expect a carnival atmosphere on a hot and humid night in Mexico.
If you missed his performance Wednesday night against the MLS All-Star team, here are the highlights on video:

How Good Is Javier &#039;Chicharito&#039; Hernandez for Manchester United?

How Good Is Javier &#039;Chicharito&#039; Hernandez for Manchester United? - World Soccer Talk

How Good Is Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez for Manchester United?

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