* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 April 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 7 November 2019
Javier Hernández Balcázar (Spanish:[xaˈβjeɾeɾˈnandesβalˈkasaɾ]ⓘ; born 1 June 1988), commonly known by the nicknameChicharito ([tʃitʃaˈɾito],Mexican Spanish:littlepea), is a Mexican professionalfootballer who plays as astriker. He is known for his clinical finishing, pace, and technical ability. He is widely considered among the greatest Mexican players of all time,[4] and regarded as one of the best North American players of all time.[5]
Hernández began his senior club career at age 18 in 2006, playing forGuadalajara, where he won thePrimera División. In 2010, Hernández signed forManchester United, becoming the club's first Mexican player. During his five years with United, he amassed over 150 appearances. He scored 59 goals, winning twoPremier League titles, theSir Matt Busby Player of the Year in his first season, and reached the2011 UEFA Champions League Final, as well as setting the then record for the fifth-best minutes-per-goal ratio (130.2) in league history.[6] Hernández departed the club on loan toReal Madrid in 2014, winning theFIFA Club World Cup, and in 2015 he joinedBayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal. Hernández returned to England two years later and signed forWest Ham United. In 2019, he signed forSevilla before joiningLA Galaxy the following year. In 2024, Hernández rejoined his boyhood club Guadalajara.[7]
A Mexican international, Hernández is the country'sall-time leading goalscorer. He debuted for the national team in September 2009 in a friendly match againstColombia. He has represented Mexico at the2010,2014, and2018 FIFA World Cups, the2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the2013 and2017 FIFA Confederations Cups, and theCopa América Centenario. He was the 2011 Gold Cup's top scorer with seven goals and was named the tournament's most valuable player.
Hernández is commonly known by the nicknameChicharito, translated from Spanish as “little pea”, a diminutive of his father’s nicknameChícharo.[8] He is also referred to asCH14, reflecting his initials and shirt number. In December 2023, while streaming onTwitch, he adopted the nicknameChichaGod (orChichaDios in Spanish).[9]
Hernández is active as agamer and social commentator onYouTuber andTwitch. As a streamer, under the username “CH14”, he has amassed over 623,000 followers on YouTube and 977,000 followers on Twitch as of November 2025.[10]
Early life
Hernández was born inGuadalajara, Jalisco, and his love for football was evident from a young age. He first played in a recreation league when he was seven. Hernández lived inMorelia, Michoacán for over four years while his father, footballerJavier "Chícharo" Hernández, played forMonarcas Morelia.[11] While living in Morelia, Hernández attended elementary school at theInstituto Piaget where he studied from third to sixth grade and played for the school's football team.[11]
At the age of nine, Hernández joinedC.D. Guadalajara and signed his first professional contract when he was 15.[12] He was set to play in the2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, a significant event in youth football, but an injury sidelined him from the team that ultimately won the championship.[13] Whilst playing football professionally, Hernández was also taking business administration classes atUniversidad del Valle de Atemajac.[12] Hernández has held bothHugo Sánchez andRafael Márquez as his football idols growing up.[14][15]
Club career
C.D. Guadalajara
Hernández (left) playing for C.D. Guadalajara againstLaredo Heat
Hernández began playing with C.D. Guadalajara's lower-division team,Chivas Coras inTepic,Nayarit in the2005–06 season. On 9 September 2006, he made his debut for Guadalajara in that year'sApertura in a win overClub Necaxa atEstadio Jalisco.[16] With the score at 3–0, under managerJosé Manuel de la Torre, Hernández came on as a substitute forOmar Bravo in the 82nd minute, before scoring the fourth goal of the game five minutes later. It was his only goal in five appearances in 2006 as Guadalajara went on to win the league title.[17] He made two appearances in the2007 Clausura with no goals. He made six more appearances in2007–08 without scoring.[18]
Hernández made 10 appearances in the2008 Apertura without scoring. Still, he scored four goals in 15 appearances in the2009 Clausura. On 25 February 2009, during a group stage match ofthat year's edition of theCopa Libertadores, Hernández came on as a substitute and scored a brace againstEverton in a 6–2 home victory.[19]
In the2009 Apertura, Hernández finished as the joint-third top scorer, with 11 goals in 17 appearances.[20] He started the2010 Torneo Bicentenario with eight goals in five games.[21] He finished as a joint-leader in the goalscoring chart for the2010 Torneo Bicentenario, with 10 goals in 11 games despite missing five matches due to injury.[22] He also won the tournament's best forward award.[23]
Manchester United
Transfer
Hernández on his Manchester United debut
Manchester United was first made aware of Hernández in October 2009; a scout went to Mexico that December and reported positively after watching a few games. Because of Hernández's age, the club originally planned to wait before making a move to sign him. Still, his potential involvement with the national team at the World Cup rushed the club into making a bid. United's chief scout, Jim Lawlor, was sent to Mexico for three weeks in February and March to watch Hernández. He filed another positive report on him before the club solicitor went to Mexico to finalize the paperwork.[24]
On 8 April 2010, Hernández agreed on a deal to sign for Manchester United for an undisclosed fee, subject to a work permit application.[25] The previous day, Hernández had been present at Manchester United'sChampions League quarter-final win overBayern Munich atOld Trafford.[26] The deal was conducted in complete secrecy; Hernández's agent was kept in the dark, as was his grandfatherTomás Balcázar, who thought Hernández was going on a trip toAtlanta in the United States.[27][28] As part of the deal, United played afriendly against C.D. Guadalajara to open the Mexican club'snew stadium on 30 July.[29] On 27 May, the work permit was granted, allowing the transfer to be made official on 1 July.[30]
2010–11: Premier League title and European final
Hernández playing for Manchester United against the MLS All-Stars at theNRG Stadium, Houston in July 2010
Hernández made his United debut on 28 July, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute forNani in the2010 MLS All-Star Game at theNRG Stadium, Houston; he scored his first goal for the club 18 minutes later, lobbing the ball overNick Rimando from just outside the area after a long through-ball fromDarren Fletcher.[31] Two days later, Hernández scored against Manchester United while playing in a friendly for his former club, C.D. Guadalajara, scoring the inaugural goal at their recently constructed stadium;[32] he started the game in a Chivas jersey and scored the first goal after just eight minutes. He switched sides at half-time, but he was unable to prevent a 3–2 defeat for Manchester United.[33] He scored for the third pre-season game in a row as he netted in a 7–1 victory over aLeague of Ireland XI at the newly builtAviva Stadium on 4 August.[34]
Hernández made his competitive debut on 8 August and scored his first goal in the process, netting United's second of a 3–1 victory overChelsea in the2010 FA Community Shield. He came on at the start of the second half. He got on the end of a pass fromAntonio Valencia before the Mexican's shot deflected off his face and into the net.[35] On 16 August, Hernández made hisPremier League debut as he replacedWayne Rooney in the 63rd minute of their 3–0 home victory overNewcastle United.[36] He scored his first Champions League goal on 29 September, coming off the bench to score the only goal in an away win overValencia.[37] He scored his first league goal for United in a 2–2 home draw againstWest Bromwich Albion on 16 October.[38] Eight days later he scored his first brace for the club, also his first away league goals, in a 2–1 away win overStoke City.[39] Two days on from this display, he came off the bench to score a last-minute winner, his first everLeague Cup goal, in a 3–2 win overWolves which sent them through to the quarter-finals where they were then knocked out byWest Ham United.[40][41] On 1 January 2011, he came off the bench to head the winning goal in a 2–1 away win over West Bromwich Albion.[42] Hernández became the top scoring Mexican in Premier League history after opening the scoring in a 2–1 home victory over Stoke City on 4 January.[43]
On 25 January, Hernández scored the equalizing goal of a 3–2 comeback away win overBlackpool.[44] Four days later he scored his firstFA Cup goal as he netted the winner in a 2–1 away victory overSouthampton.[45] Hernández netted twice in a 4–0 away win over Wigan on 26 February.[46] Eight days later, he netted a late consolation goal in a 3–1derby defeat away toLiverpool.[47] Hernández netted twice in a 2–1 home win overMarseille on 15 March, sending United through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[48] On 2 April, he scored the final goal against West Ham United as they came from two goals down to claim a 4–2 away win.[49] On 8 April, Hernández was revealed as a contender for thePFA Young Player of the Year award alongside teammateNani.[50] Four days later, he opened the scoring in the 2–1 quarter-final win over Chelsea in the Champions League, with the game ending 3–1 on aggregate, sending United through to the semi-finals.[51] He continued his goal scoring form on 23 April scoring the winning goal with a header in the 1–0 home win overEverton.[52]
On 8 May, Hernández scored the opening goal in a 2–1 home win over Chelsea after just 36 seconds to leave United one point away from winning the title.[53] The goal against Chelsea made him the first player sinceRuud van Nistelrooy in the2001–02 season to score 20 goals for the club in his debut season.[54] Six days later, Hernández won his first league title with United following a 1–1 draw againstBlackburn Rovers with one league match remaining, the club's record-breaking 19th league title.[55] Hernández capped his debut season with Manchester United by winning theSir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on 18 May which was voted for by the fans.[56] On 28 May, Hernández played all 90 minutes in the 3–1 defeat toBarcelona in theChampions League Final.[57] On 5 July 2011, theInternational Federation of Football History and Statistics named Hernández as the "World Goalgetter 2011", with 13 goals, ahead of other players such asCristiano Ronaldo,Giuseppe Rossi, andLionel Messi.[58]
2011–12: Injury hit season
After participating in the2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup with Mexico, Hernández returned to Manchester United to begin pre-season training in New York ahead of the2011 MLS All-Star Game. On 26 July 2011, he was taken to the hospital after suffering a minor concussion after he was hit on the head with a ball during a training session; he was cleared the next day but did not take part in the game.[59][60]
On 28 July 2011, it was reported that Rafael Ortega, the doctor at C.D. Guadalajara, informed Manchester United that Hernández was suffering from a pre-existingneurological condition. Ortega also explained that Hernández had suffered from "acutemigraines and "headaches" as a teenager.[61][62] He did not participate in any of United's pre-season matches, nor the2011 FA Community Shield. He also missed United's opening game of the season againstWest Bromwich Albion.[63]
Hernández made his first appearance in the2011–12 season on 22 August in a 3–0 win againstTottenham Hotspur, coming off the bench forDanny Welbeck in the 79th minute.[64] He returned to the starting lineup on 10 September againstBolton Wanderers, scoring twice in a 5–0 victory.[65] On 15 October 2011, Hernández came off the substitutes bench to net a crucial equaliser againstLiverpool atAnfield in a 1–1 draw. In the 81st minute, Hernández gambled on Danny Welbeck's flick-on from a corner to steal in and head the equalizer.[66]
Hernández signed a five-year contract on 24 October to tie him to Manchester United until 2016.[67] The following day it was reported that Hernández made the longlist for thatyear'sFIFA Ballon d'Or.[68] Hernández scored his fourth league goal of the season and the winner againstEverton atGoodison Park, in a 1–0 victory on 29 October.[69] He then scored his fifth league goal of the season and the winner in United's next away game atSwansea City, a 1–0 win.[70] Hernández scored again in the following game at home toNewcastle United, whenWayne Rooney's shot was blocked by a defender and ricocheted back off Hernández and into the net.[71] He was then carried off the pitch early in United's next league game away atAston Villa, appearing to go over on his ankle without a challenge from an opponent. After the match, manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Hernández had suffered ankle ligament damage and would be out for up to four weeks.[72] On 18 December, Hernández made a surprise early return againstQueens Park Rangers. He came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Danny Welbeck in United's 2–0 victory atLoftus Road.[73]
On 31 January 2012, Hernández scored his first goal since November and his seventh goal in a 2–0 league win at Old Trafford againstStoke City, scoring the first of two penalties.[74] Hernández continued his scoring form on 5 February atStamford Bridge againstChelsea, scoring the third goal of a three-goal comeback draw, heading in a cross fromRyan Giggs.[75] On 16 February, Hernández scored his first goal in theEuropa League, in a 2–0 away win againstAjax in the round of 32.[76] He scored again in the second leg at Old Trafford on 23 February, but this time in a 2–1 home defeat. However, United still won the tie 3–2 on aggregate.[77] On 18 March, Hernández scored twice in a 5–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.[78]
2012–13: Second Premier League title
Hernández during a training session with Manchester United in 2012
Hernández began histhird season with United on 2 September 2012, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute forDanny Welbeck in a 3–2 win againstSouthampton.[79] On 15 September, he was named in the starting eleven for the match againstWigan Athletic, playing all 90 minutes. Despite having a penalty saved in the fifth minute by Wigan goalkeeperAli Al-Habsi, Hernández scored his first goal of theseason, as well as assisting in teammateNick Powell's goal in a 4–0 victory.[80] On 23 October, Hernández netted a brace in a 3–2 comeback win againstBraga in aChampions League group stage match after United had gone down 2–0 in the first half.[81] Five days later, he scored the winner against nine-man Chelsea in a controversial 3–2 win after he was deemed to have been in an offside position when scoring the goal.[82]
On 10 November 2012, Hernández came on as a second-half substitute and scored two goals as United came from 2–0 down to beatAston Villa 2–3 atVilla Park. At the end of the match, Hernández claimed thehat-trick, but replays showed that his shot for United's second goal was hit wide until turned into his own net by Villa defenderRon Vlaar.[83] On 24 November, he scored his fifth league goal of the season in a 3–1 home win overQueens Park Rangers.[84] On 26 December, Hernández scored United's fourth goal in the final minutes in a 4–3 win overNewcastle United at Old Trafford.[85] He then began 2013 by scoring a brace against Wigan on 1 January, helping United to a 4–0 victory.[86] On 26 January, Hernández would go on to score another brace, this time during an FA Cup match against Fulham which United won 4–1.[87]
In another FA Cup match againstReading on 18 February, Hernández scored in the 72nd minute, giving United a 2–0 lead. His goal would end up being a deciding factor as United went on to win the game 2–1.[88] Although he started in United's 2–0 Premier League victory against QPR on 23 February 2013, he did not score in the match and he didn't score again until 10 March in another FA Cup match against Chelsea which ended in a 2–2 draw.[89] Hernández clinched his second league title with United on 22 April after a 3–0 victory over Aston Villa with four matches left for the season.[90] Hernández opened the scoring in managerSir Alex Ferguson's final home game atOld Trafford againstSwansea City. After a free kick was not cleared, he slotted in from six yards in the first half to put United 1–0 up, in a game they went on to win 2–1.[91] Hernández scored United's last goal of the season and the final goal of the Ferguson era, when he tapped in a cross from close range in a 5–5 draw away atWest Bromwich Albion on the final day.[92]
2013–15: Lack of playing time and loan at Real Madrid
Hernández scored his first goal ofthe season under new managerDavid Moyes on 25 September 2013, netting the only goal of a home win over rivals Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup.[93] On 26 October, with his first league goal of the campaign, he headed the winner as they came from behind to defeat Stoke 3–2 at Old Trafford.[94] Three days later, he recorded a brace – starting with a penalty – in a 4–0 win againstNorwich City in the next round of the League Cup.[95] In the tournament's semi-finals, his goal fromAdnan Januzaj's cross in the last minute of extra time forced apenalty shootout, which United lost toSunderland.[96]
On 1 September 2014, Hernández signed forReal Madrid on a season-long loan deal, with an option of a purchase at the end of the loan.[97] He underwent a medical and signed his contract that same day.[98]
He made his debut in theMadrid derby on 13 September, replacingKarim Benzema for the final 27 minutes as the team lost 2–1 at home.[99] On 19 September, Hernández came on as a 77th-minute substitute forGareth Bale and scored his first two goals in an 8–2 away win againstDeportivo de La Coruña[100] — the first goal, scored from outside the box with his left foot, was labeled Goal of the Month.[101]
He scored the winning goal on 22 April 2015 in the 1–0 win overAtlético Madrid, which sent Real Madrid into the semi-finals of theChampions League.[102] Four days later, Hernández scored a brace in Madrid's 2–4 away win overCelta de Vigo.[103] On 26 May, it was announced that Hernández would return to Manchester United following the end of his loan spell after Real Madrid decided not to make the loan move a permanent deal.[104] He made 33 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring 9 goals.
With Real Madrid declining to make an offer for Chicharito, he returned to Manchester. On 29 August 2015, it was reported that managerLouis van Gaal had told Hernández he could leave the club by the end of the transfer window. It was unclear what fee were United expecting for him, who still had one year left on his contract.[105]
Hernández played his final match for Manchester United on 22 August in a draw against Newcastle United at Old Trafford. He came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, replacing Adnan Januzaj.[106] This brought an end to his fruitful spell at Manchester United, having scored 59 goals in 157 games, winning two Premier League titles. In 2017, van Gaal's successorJosé Mourinho claimed that he would have never sold Chicharito and believed he would score at least 20 goals a season for his United team.[107]
Bayer Leverkusen
On 31 August 2015, it was announced Hernández signed a three-year contract withBundesliga clubBayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee,[108] reportedly around £7.3 million.[109]
2015–17: Consecutive seasons as club top scorer
Hernández was given the number 7 shirt.[110] He made his Bundesliga debut as a 58th-minute substitute in the 1–0 defeat toDarmstadt 98 on 12 September.[111] Four days later he scored his first goal in theChampions League group-stage match againstBATE Borisov, scoring the third goal in the 4–1 victory.[112] On 23 September, Hernández scored his first Bundesliga goal in Bayer's 1–0 victory overFSV Mainz, being also named Man of the Match.[113] On 20 October, Hernández scored his first brace for Leverkusen in their 4–4 draw againstRoma in the Champions League.[114] Eight days later, he scored a brace in a 6–0 thrashing ofViktoria Köln during the second round of theDFB-Pokal.[115] He ended the Champions League group stage with five goals from six matches but Bayer failed to qualify for theknockout phase, finishing third in Group E and dropping into theEuropa League.[116]
Hernández was named Bundesliga Player of the Month for November;[117] a month in which he scored in a 2–1 loss at home to1. FC Köln[118] and twice in 3–1 win atEintracht Frankfurt.[119] On 12 December, Hernández scored his firsthat-trick in Leverkusen's 5–0 win overBorussia Mönchengladbach, thus scoring 15 goals in his last 12 matches, and taking his tally to 17 goals in 20 games.[120][121] He would again be named Bundesliga Player of the Month for December.[122]
On 30 January 2016, in Bayer's second match after the winter break, Hernández scored twice in a 3–0 defeat ofHannover 96 to register his 20th and 21st goals of the season.[123] Two days later, he was named for the third time Bundesliga Player of the Month.[124] On 9 February, during the DFB-Pokal quarter-final match againstWerder Bremen, he scored the only goal from a penalty in a 3–1 loss as Bayer was eliminated;[125] he finished as joint-second top scorer of the DFB-Pokal with four goals. On 23 April, Hernández scored the final goal in a 3–2 comeback victory againstSchalke 04.[126] At the end of hisfirst season with Bayer, he finished as the club's top scorer, notching 17 goals in 28 league appearances.[127] He was included in the Team of the Season.[128]
Hernández scored and provided an assist in Leverkusen's 2–1 win overSC Hauenstein in the first round of theDFB-Pokal on 21 August 2016.[129] Two days later, it was reported that Hernández would miss Bayer's opening match of theseason againstBorussia Mönchengladbach after sustaining a broken hand.[130] On 17 September, Hernández scored his first goal of the Bundesliga season atEintracht Frankfurt, however he missed a chance to equalise late from the penalty spot in the 2–1 loss.[131] The following week atFSV Mainz 05, Hernández collected aperfect hat-trick that included a stoppage time winner, the third hat trick of theBundesliga season.[132] Three days later, he scored Bayer's only goal againstMonaco in aChampions Leaguegroup stage 1–1 draw, marking his 100th goal in official European competitions.[133] He was later named Bundesliga Player of the Month for September.[134]
On 28 January 2017, Hernández scored Bayer Leverkusen's second goal in the 2–3 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach, ending his eleven-match scoreless streak.[135] On 11 February, he scored a brace against Eintracht Frankfurt in a 3–0 home victory.[136] The following week, he scored another brace in a 3–1 away victory.[137] On 21 February, following the match againstAtlético Madrid, Hernández became the Mexican player with the most appearances in the Champions League with 47, surpassingRafael Márquez's previous record of 46 appearances.[138] His February performances led him to be named Bundesliga Player of the Month for the fifth time.[139] Hernández finished his second season as the club's top scorer again, with 11 goals in 26 league appearances.[140]
West Ham United
2017–20: Record transfer and sustained injuries
On 24 July 2017, Hernández joined English clubWest Ham United for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £16 million, signing a three-year contract.[141][142] He was given the number 17 shirt.[143] He made his debut for the West Ham on 13 August, playing all 90 minutes in the 4–0 defeat against his former club Manchester United at Old Trafford.[144] The following week, Hernández scored his first two goals for West Ham in the 3–2 loss toSouthampton.[145]
In November, Hernández sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with Mexico, and it was reported that he would be ruled out from activity for up to two weeks.[146] Following the sacking ofSlaven Bilić and the appointment of David Moyes as manager, there were fears Moyes would sideline Hernández just as he had at Manchester. In response, Moyes referred to him as a "top goalscorer" and "a brilliant finisher".[147] During the winter transfer window there were reports Hernández would leave after only six months, being linked with a move to Turkish clubBeşiktaş as well as a possible return to Manchester United.[148] On 20 January 2018, he came off the bench to score the equalising goal for West Ham in their 1–1 league draw againstAFC Bournemouth, scoring his first goal since October.[149] Following the match Moyes praised Hernández's performance, saying "we needed him today."[150] On 8 April, in a league match against Chelsea, he scored a 73rd-minute goal to make the score 1–1, marking the ninth time he had scored against the club.[151]
On 28 August 2018, Hernández scored West Ham's third goal in injury time of a 3–1 victory overAFC Wimbledon in the second round of theEFL Cup.[152] In September, West Ham managerManuel Pellegrini declared that Hernández was suffering fromglandular fever, causing him to miss out various matches.[153] He would recover and return to training in October.[154] On 3 November, he scored his first Premier League goal of theseason in West Ham's 4–2 victory overBurnley.[155]
On 22 February 2019, Hernández scored the equalising goal in West Ham's eventual 3–1 win over Fulham; on initial viewing, it looked like he had headed the ball in from a yard to score, however replays of the goal appeared to show the ball rebound off of Hernández's arm to put the ball into the net.[156] It was also his 50th career Premier League goal, becoming the first Mexican to reach the milestone.[157] He would get on the scoresheet again on 16 March, coming on as a second-half substitute and scoring twice—including the stoppage-time winner—to secure a 4–3 league victory overHuddersfield.[158]
Prior to the start of the 19-20 season, he was given the number 9 shirt.[159] Hernández scored his first goal of the2019–20 Premier League season on 17 August as West Ham drew 1–1 with Brighton atFalmer Stadium.[160] On 30 August, Hernández handed in a transfer request to West Ham and flew to Spain to complete a medical ahead of a proposed €8 million move toSevilla.[161]
Sevilla
On 2 September, Hernández joinedLa Liga clubSevilla for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £7.3m, signing a three-year contract.[162][163] He made his league debut on 15 September in an away match againstAlavés, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in Sevilla's 1–0 win.[164] Four days later, in aEuropa League group stage match against Azerbaijani sideQarabağ FK, Hernández scored a free kick, the first in his career, in his side's 3–0 victory.[165][166] Despite only spending half a season inSeville, he won his first continental title, the 19-20 Europa League as he had featured in the group stages.[167] On 27 October, he scored his first goal in La Liga with Sevilla in a 2–0 victory againstGetafe.[168] With his playing time limited, he choose to leave Europe for a new challenge and be closer to his family in Mexico.[169]
LA Galaxy
On January 21, 2020, Hernández signed a three-year contract withMajor League Soccer clubLA Galaxy,[170][171] and became the highest paid player in the league.[172] He was brought in as a replacement forZlatan Ibrahimović, who had joinedAC Milan. He was namedcaptain for theupcoming season.[173] On February 29, he made his MLS debut in the season opener againstHouston Dynamo in 1–1 draw, playing the entirety of the match.[174] On July 13, he scored his first goal for the club againstPortland Timbers which ended in a 2–1 loss.[175] He ended his first season with 12 appearances and 2 goals.
In the first game of hissecond season, on April 18, 2021, playing againstInter Miami, he scored twice for a 3–2 victory.[176] The following matchweek, he scored a hat-trick againstNew York Red Bulls for another 3–2 victory.[177] His performances led him to win the Player of the Month award for April/May.[178] He was included in the roster for the2021 MLS All-Star Game,[179] but withdrew due to injury.[180] He finished the season as the league's joint-third goalscorer and as the club's top scorer with 17 goals in 21 appearances. He was named the club's Player of the Year and was also a finalist for that season'sComeback Player of the Year.[181][182]
In the first game of histhird season, on February 27, 2022, Hernández scored the only goal in a victory overNew York City FC.[183] Hernández was chosen to participate at the2022 MLS All-Star Game, where he was named captain.[184] After scoring 12 goals and playing 60% of games as a starter, his contract automatically renewed for an additional year.[185][186] Hernández ended the 2022 season as the league's joint-fourth goalscorer and the club's top scorer with 18 goals in 32 appearances.[187] As the team finished in fourth place of theWestern Conference, it qualified for theMLS Cup Playoffs, where they were eliminated in the Western Conference Semifinals against rivalsLos Angeles FC.[188] His performances led him to win a second Player of the Year award.[187] He was also on the shortlist for that season'sMVP Award.[189]
On 24 January 2024, Hernández returned to Mexico, as he signed a two-year contract, with an option for an additional year, withGuadalajara (Chivas), the club where he began his professional career in 2006.[192][193]
One month after rejoining his former club, Hernández made his debut againstPumas UNAM, when he came off the bench in the 88th minute.[194] Hernández scored his first goal of the tournament in a match againstPuebla, the first in a 3–2 victory.[195] His return to Chivas has not gone well, due to poor form, fitness challenges and disciplinary issues that have led to reprimands from both club and national boards.[196][197]
On December 11, 2025, the Guadalajara board announced the departure of Hernández from the club, since the player's contract was ending and it was decided not to renew it.[198]
International career
Youth
Hernández was set to play with theunder-17 team in the2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, but an injury sidelined him from the team that ultimately won the championship.[13] Two years later, he was one of the 21 players called up to theunder-20 side for the2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. He came on as a late substitute in the opening game against Gambia and scored the final goal in Mexico's 3–0 victory.[199]
On 30 September 2009, underJavier Aguirre, Hernández made hissenior national team debut againstColombia, where he made an assist in a 2–1 loss.[200] On 24 February 2010, Hernández scored two goals againstBolivia and had an assist forBraulio Luna's goal.[201] On 3 March, Hernández scored a header againstNew Zealand, giving Mexico the lead in a 2–0 victory.[202] On 17 March, Hernández scored his fourth international goal to give Mexico a 2–1 victory overNorth Korea.[203] On 26 May, he scored a consolation header against theNetherlands in a 2–1 loss.[204] On 30 May, Hernández scored yet again, netting twice in a 5–1 victory overGambia.[205]
2010 FIFA World Cup
On 11 June, Hernández made hisFIFA World Cup debut during the opening game of the2010 tournament againstSouth Africa in a 1–1 draw, coming on in the 73rd minute to replaceGuillermo Franco.[206] On 17 June, Hernández again came off the bench and this time scored his first ever World Cup goal, netting the first in a 2–0 victory overFrance by springing the offside trap, latching onto a through ball fromRafael Márquez, sidesteppingHugo Lloris and sidefooting into the net.[207][208] By scoring he emulated his grandfather,Tomás Balcázar, who scored against France in the 1954 World Cup.[209] He was elected asman of the match.[210] It was also the 2,100th goal scored in all World Cup tournaments.[211] On 27 June, Hernández made his first start at a World Cup and netted his second goal of the World Cup, by turningMartín Demichelis on the edge of the box before sending a left-foot shot into the roof of the net,[212] in Mexico's 3–1 loss againstArgentina in the round of 16.[213] FIFA's statistical analysis showed that Hernández was the quickest player in World Cup 2010, reaching a top speed of 32.15 km/h (20 mph).[214]
Post-World Cup friendlies
Hernández scored another goal in his first match for Mexico since the World Cup, in a friendly against recent 2010 FIFA World Cup winnersSpain on 11 August 2010. He scored after just 12 minutes of the match, butDavid Silva equalised for Spain in the last minute of play to claim a 1–1 draw.[215] Hernández scored his and Mexico's first international goal of 2011 as he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win overBosnia and Herzegovina on 9 February.[216] On 26 March, Hernández scored two goals in an international friendly againstParaguay. He first connected with a pass fromPablo Barrera in the sixth minute of the match, before scoring off a low cross in the 29th minute, three minutes after teammateAndrés Guardado had made the score 2–0. He exited to a standing ovation in the 65th minute.[217]
2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
On 5 June 2011, after being called up byJosé Manuel de la Torre, he scored a hat-trick, the first in his career, in a 5–0 win againstEl Salvador.[218]On 9 June, he scored two goals, in the 36th and 76th minutes againstCuba.[219]On 18 June, Hernández scored the winner in a 2–1 win overGuatemala to send Mexico to the semi-finals.[220] On 22 June, he helped Mexico reach theGold Cup Final after a 2–0 win overHonduras inextra-time, where he scored Mexico's second goal in the 99th minute. Hernández helped his team to a 4–2 victory in thefinal against theUnited States. He was the Gold Cup's top scorer with seven goals and was named themost valuable player of thetournament.[221]
Hernández was selected in Mexico's squad for the2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. On 16 June, he scored via penalty kick in the team's opening match, a 2–1 defeat toItaly at theEstádio do Maracanã.[223] In the final group match, Hernández scored both goals asEl Tri defeatedJapan 2–1.[224]
On 1 July 2015, Hernández sustained a broken collar bone during a friendly match against Honduras, ruling him out of thethat year's CONCACAF Gold Cup,[226] which Mexico went on to win.[227]
In October, Hernández was called up by interim managerRicardo Ferretti for theCONCACAF Cup – a play-off match to determine CONCACAF's entry into the2017 FIFA Confederations Cup – against the United States. Mexico defeated the United States 3–2 after extra time at theRose Bowl, with Hernández opening the score after ten minutes.[228]
2016–2018: Copa América Centenario and milestones
Hernández was included byJuan Carlos Osorio to be in Mexico's 23-man squad that would participate in theCopa América Centenario tournament. On 5 June 2016, he played 83 minutes in the 3–1 victory overUruguay,[229] and scored the first goal in Mexico's 2–0 win overJamaica. The goal took Hernández's tally to 45, one goal shy of tyingJared Borgetti's national team record.[230]
On 12 May 2017, Hernández was included in the national squad that would play in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.[231] On 27 May, Hernández became Mexico's all-time top goalscorer with 47 goals when he scored in a friendly against Croatia.[232] In Mexico's Confederations Cup debut, he scored Mexico's first goal in an eventual 2–2 draw againstPortugal on 18 June, scoring a low header from aCarlos Vela cross.[233]
On 27 March 2018, Hernández earned his100th cap in a friendly match against Croatia.[234]
Hernández scored three times for Mexico duringqualification for the2018 FIFA World Cup. He was in the starting lineup in Mexico's first World Cup game againstGermany at theLuzhniki Stadium in Moscow and made an assist toHirving Lozano to go on to win the match 1–0.[235] In the second group game Hernández scored Mexico's second goal, his 50th international goal, in their 2–1 win overSouth Korea,[236] and was named FIFA Man of the Match.[237] With his goal, Hernández became the joint-highest scoring Mexican player at the World Cup with four goals, tied withLuis Hernández,[238] and the third Mexican player to score in three World Cups.[239] He went on to start in the final group stage match againstSweden, as well as in theround of 16 loss toBrazil.[240]
A clinical goalscorer, Hernández has been described as a "goal-poacher" due to a number of his goals being scored from close range.[246][247] His movement off the ball, pace, and ability to find space inside the box has also been praised.[247][248] He has been described as one of the few players who seem capable of appearing behind a defender's back to knock in the ball from two yards, with his playing style being compared to that of German strikerMiroslav Klose.[249]
Rudi Völler, sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, has praised Hernández for his keen positioning in front of the goal, saying: "he certainly doesn't win every tackle, but he has an incredible sense of where the ball will end up".[249] Former Manchester United managerSir Alex Ferguson described Hernández as two-footed, very quick, in possession of a good spring, and a natural goalscorer. Ferguson also said Hernández's style reminds him of former United strikerOle Gunnar Solskjær – the so-called "baby-faced assassin" who scored the injury time winner against Bayern Munich in United's 1999 Champions League triumph.[250] Hernández's former teammateJesús Padilla described him as "amazing in the air" despite his height.[12]Due to his small stature, he is extremely quick and agile, also possessing good technique.[251] Since he often came on as a substitute at United, Hernández's minutes per goal ratio is among the most prolific in the history of thePremier League.[6][252]
In a May 2016 interview withSports Illustrated, Hernández commented on his abilities inside the penalty area, describing the intuition he has in knowing where an impending cross will fall from a teammate and outsmarting opposing defenders.[253] Former Mexico national team coachJuan Carlos Osorio described Hernández as having "a knack for the goal. Sometimes, it seems like every rebound or every deflection goes into his path. Another thing is he doesn't dwell on a missed opportunity. He always looks forward to the next one. He has good ability in the air. He has a good pace and makes those diagonal runs, starting from the first defender and then going behind the second one. He also has the willingness to work defensively."[254]
Hernández conducting his pre-match prayer before a match againstCardiff City in November 2013
Hernández is the son ofJavier Hernández Gutiérrez, who played for three clubs in Mexico and was a member of theMexico squad at the1986 FIFA World Cup.[256] Hernández Gutiérrez quit his job as manager of Guadalajara's reserve side in order to watch Hernández play in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.[257] Hernández is also the grandson ofTomás Balcázar, who also played for Guadalajara and played for the national side in the1954 FIFA World Cup.[258]
On 26 May 2012, Hernández became the Mexican ambassador forUNICEF, making him the third Mexican to serve this position, followingCésar Costa andJulieta Venegas in 2004 and 2009 respectively.[259] As ambassador, he will participate in a number of activities to encourage children and teenagers to not abandon their education.[259] He was commemorated in a news conference, where he said he felt "proud and committed".[260]
Hernández is a devoutRoman Catholic. He is well known for his pre-game ritual where he gets on his knees and prays which he performs before most games.[261][262]
Hernández was featured on the North American cover ofFIFA 14 and the Mexican cover ofFIFA 15, alongside global cover starLionel Messi in both titles.[263][264]
Hernández is an "honorary associate" of theAsociación Mexicana de Futbolistas (Mexican Footballers Association), created in October 2017.[265][266]
In January 2019, Hernández and his then wife Sarah Kohan, an Australian model of Romanian descent[267] and travel blogger, announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child.[268] On 16 June 2019, their son, Noah, was born.[269] One year later on 5 October 2020, their daughter, Nala, was born.[270]
In July 2025, Hernández was fined and warned by theMexican Football Federation after he made a series of sexist remarks on social media that was widely criticized, including by Mexican presidentClaudia Sheinbaum.[274] He subsequently expressed regret.[275]
Nickname
Hernández is commonly known asChicharito, meaninglittlepea in Spanish, and wears the name on his shirt.[276] This is due to his father, Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, being nicknamedChícharo (pea) because of hisgreen eyes.[277]
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