One of Manchester United's popular imports during the Premier League era found things difficult when a high-profile exit was announced
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Shinji Kagawa (L) and Juan Mata of Manchester United congratulate Javier Hernandez of Manchester United (C) on scoring their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on April 5, 2014 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Shinji Kagawa, Javier Hernandez and Juan Mata at Manchester United(Image: Jan Kruger, Getty Images)
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Representing a prestigious club like Manchester United can leave an indelible mark on a player, making it incredibly challenging to call time on a career in Europe. This was undoubtedly true for Javier Hernandez, who flourished after signing for the club under Sir Alex Ferguson but felt an emotional toll when his career at the top began to near its end.
Hernandez arrived at United in 2010, the same summer he burst onto the global stage with Mexico's World Cup squad in South Africa. He adapted swiftly to English football, netting 20 goals across all competitions as Ferguson's side clinched the Premier League and reached the Champions League final in his debut campaign.
The striker, known to fans as Chicharito, maintained double-figure league tallies in each of the following two seasons but failed to replicate that form under David Moyes. When Louis van Gaal took charge, securing regular first-team football appeared an even greater challenge.
Hernandez received little opportunity from United's incoming Dutch manager. He featured in Van Gaal's opening league fixture but managed only 45 minutes, departing on loan a mere two weeks later and eventually leaving on a permanent basis in summer 2015, when Bayer Leverkusen came calling.
Chicharito might have played for United for the final time but he was still capable of proving his worth in Europe's elite divisions. The Mexican boasted a one-in-two goal average in Germany and netted 16 times in 55 Premier League games for West Ham on his return to England, despite having to adjust to working under three different manager across just over two seasons.
He left West Ham in the summer of 2019, joining Sevilla, only to leave Spain after just a few months to join Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy in January 2020. More encouraging times lay ahead for the forward, but he was visibly emotional when acknowledging that beginning a fresh chapter signalled the conclusion of his European journey.
"I wanted to speak to you guys because the thing is about to get done," Hernandez, who is now 37 years of age, said in an emotional video. "It's almost certain that I'm going to LA. It's okay, everything is perfect, it's only that, well it's like the beginning of my retirement."
Javier Hernandez in tears upon leaving Sevilla
Chicharito's passion for the game and being at his best was evident as he broke down in tears
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Addressing his father, who tried to interject, he continued: "Dad, try to understand me. Don't worry, look, what I mean is that we're saying goodbye to a career that we put a lot of effort on and we worked, and I know you guys also feel it. We're going to look at the bright side, but whether we like it or not we are retiring from the European dream."
Hernandez's fresh start stateside saw him find the net 39 times across 82 Galaxy appearances before heading back to CD Guadalajara, the club where his journey first began prior to that major transatlantic move.
A storybook homecoming was fairly quiet in terms of goals, with just four in 39 outings before his departure was announced last month. At the time of writing he is free agent with no formal retirement announcement having materialised.
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