IN THAT COUNTRY.”- FA COMMUNITY SHIELD BROADCAST, AUGUST 08th 2010.
It’s no small boots to fill. After all, FIFA named Hugo Sanchez as the best Mexican player of all time, and included him in the FIFA 100, a list of the best 100 players in the game’s history. So, how did a young man who sits in the shadow of two generations of football players suddenly become the brightest star, the hope of a nation to show England and by extension the world that Mexico can be a competitive player in international soccer and bring about players who are just as good as any on an international level?
Javier Hernandez Balcazar, better known as Chicharito burst into the scene in a fantastical fashion. Lighting up Chivas with dazzling speed and control. Enough to call the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson. The transfer in itself is not unusual. It’s common to see big time European clubs scout young players from the world, bring them to Europe to test their dominance in what is truly the elite of football worldwide. As a Mexican the move lit a fire inside of me. One of ours was going to arguably the biggest club in the World. The first! Many Mexicans became Red Devil fans that day.
As a Manchester United fan, I was slightly puzzled to see the transfer. Why had Alex Ferguson, the head of one of the biggest clubs in the world, chosen to transfer for a relatively unknown player in a relatively weak league, with little international experience. Sure, the kid had speed to kill, and displayed pretty good feet and technique? It didn’t make too much sense. But then the World Cup happened.
The biggest individual winner of the World Cup was probably Chicharito. The young man lit a spark in a young Mexican team. Even then, he was the under dog. Giovanni Dos Santos was considered by many, including the coverage of Mexican sports casters to be the young player to watch on the Mexican squad. Dos Santos made generally strong contributions, and certainly did not hurt the talk that he was truly one of the more gifted players on the team. Chicharito scored twice in Mexico’s world cup campaign. The first against France and the second against Argentina. He was notched as the fastest player in the World Cup, reaching a top speed of 32.15 kmph. or 19.98 mph. Suddenly, Sir Alex’s move started to make sense.
Hernandez made his ManU debut in the MLS All Star Game, scoring one goal in what was a slaughter of the best the MLS had to offer, including American international Landon Donovan. Second came a visit to Guadalajara to play Chivas. While Hernandez did not score for his new team in that game, he scored for his old one. A statement goal, putting it in the net past Edwin van de Sar, one of the Premier League’s elite goal keepers. He scored in the team’s next game against a League of Ireland team. Three goals in three games
Chicharito made his true Manchester United debut today, against English giants Chelsea FC, a higher level of competition than in his previous Manchester United games. Hernandez came off the bench at half time, and scored what proved to be the winning goal, a flukey, ugly goal in which he kicked the ball onto his face and rolled it in. It was strange, it was a little ugly. But it was a goal, and it spoke of his positioning and brains. Chicharito made a splash when it counted.
It’s barely his first game with United and he has helped garner them a trophy. Chicharito may not start in Manchester United. He may not even make the senior team. In my opinion he deserves to at least be brought in as a substitute, allowing his speed to remain fresh for second halves and worn goalkeepers. He has certainly proven himself to Sir Alex. He has proven himself to Mexico and England. And now, our hearts are with him and the Red Devils. Chicharito proves an old rallying cry right.
Sí, se puede! Sí se puede!
Yes, we can. Chicharito is proving it.