Javier Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, had the worst season of his life last year at LA Galaxy.
When a talented player is underperforming, it’s not just his mistakes on the pitch that need to be analyzed and poked at. Naturally, the footballer’s mental health and emotional state also play a big part in their performance levels.
In fact, that was clearly the case with Chicharito Hernandez. The former Manchester United player went through one of the toughest years of his life both on and off the pitch, all in the middle of a pandemic.
It all started going downhill for the Mexican player a month into the Covid-19 imposed break in the MLS. Sadly, his grandfather Tomas Balcazar passed away at the age of 88. Chicharito’s grandfather was a legendary football player and one of his biggest inspirations on the football pitch.
“I experienced, for the first time, the death of someone very close to me,” Hernández told LA Times. On top of that, the player could not return home for the memorial service because of the pandemic. “It hit me in very different ways.”
Additionally, Javier Hernandez’s problems kept on piling up as he picked up a calf injury that had him sidelined for two months. Moreover, Chicharito’s wife Sarah Kohan left to Australia with the couple’s two young kids. Naturally, his family’s departure sent him on a downward spiral and his return to the pitch clearly showed that.
“Of course, I miss them,” Hernandez said. “I will love to be with my kids, obviously.
I touched rock bottom. I lived things that normally you live through [in] five, 10 years, you know what I mean? It’s not an excuse, it’s reality. And the reality is I didn’t take responsibility. I wasn’t able to handle all of that.”
Javier Hernandez began a journey to restore his mental and physical condition.
After all his struggles, the 32-year-old striker decided not to throw in the towel and analyze his past behavior and performances. In fact, Chicharito underwent a long process to understand how he could improve himself.
“When the end of the season came, I did a very profound critique. About my life, about myself. And I just decided that I can do much, much better. On the emotional and very spiritual side, when COVID hit, it was like a perfect time to expose the things that I haven’t worked with.
“I took full responsibility for what is in my hands. My body, my mind, my emotions, and I want to push them beyond. I don’t even want to even say limits. Because for me that doesn’t exist.”
Javier Hernandez wants to come back fully ready to give LA Galaxy’s fans what they deserve to see. The player arrived in Los Angeles in 2020 and has only scored twice in 12 appearances.
“I haven’t worked this hard in my whole life. I haven’t trusted the correct people that can help me to elevate my performances, my sleep, my health, my food and my relationships. I have a big debt with my club. I have a big debt with my fans, with the Galaxy family.”
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