At 22, Javier Hernandez is his country’s golden boy. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both played for the Tricolor, the "Chicharito" (Little Pea) has become, in a very short time, a sensation on the Mexican football scene, scoring for fun and dazzling spectators with his ability in front of goal.
After finding the net on his senior debut for Chivas de Guadalajara, Hernandez had to wait patiently for a regular starting role. When that opportunity arrived in the 2009 Clausura, he did not just grab it, he became the central figure in the Chivas team almost overnight.
Before leaving his club to join Javier Aguirre’s pre-FIFA World Cup™ training camp for domestic-based players, Hernandez was the leading scorer in the 2010 Bicentenary tournament with ten goals in 11 matches. He had also registered four goals in his first four internationals.
Hernandez is a complete forward – fast and intelligent, with remarkable shooting ability and impressive aerial power for a player only 1.75m tall. These qualities attracted the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson, who in April signed him for Premier League powerhouse Manchester United. Old Trafford will become the youngster’s new home once he has done as his grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, did before him in 1954, and played in the FIFA World Cup.
