MUHAMMAD USMAN AWAN
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Javier Hernandez will be a major player in Champions League final |
Here are five things to know about Hernandez prior to Saturday's game:
The nickname
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez comes from a long line of soccer players. His grandfather, Thomas Balcazar, was part of the legendary Chivas de Guadalajara team that won eight championships in 10 seasons beginning in the 1950s. His father, also named Javier Hernandez, was a striker who represented Mexico in the 1986 World Cup. He was known as "Chicharito"—Spanish for "pea" because of his green eyes. This is where "Chicharito" name "little pea" comes from; just as his talent came from his lineage, so does his nickname.
A hometown beginning
Few players are fortunate enough to achieve their dream of playing for their hometown team. However, Chicharito was one of those few players that did. He began his career in 2006 playing for Chivas de Guadalajara. He was 18 years old at the time.
During his time with Guadalajara, Chicharito scored 29 goals in 79 games. During his final season with Chivas, he finally came into his own: he scored 21 goals in 28 games and caught the attention of Manchester United.
History
Manchester United scouts first noticed Chicharito while on a trip to Mexico in October 2009. The scouts came away impressed with the young striker and sent back a positive report to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Deciding to make his move before another club could go after Chicarito, Ferguson sent chief scout Jim Lawlor to Mexico for three weeks so the team could get a final report on Hernandez. Lawlor was convinced, and Manchester United signed Chicarito. He became the first Mexican player in Red Devils history.
Making his mark
On July 28, 2010, Chicharito made his unofficial United debut at the MLS All-Star Game in Houston, Texas. He was substituted into the match for Nani in the 62nd minute, and in the 84th minute scored the last United goal of the match.
Chicharito made his official Red Devils debut in the 2010-2011 Community Shield match against Chelsea in London, England. With the match in the balance, Chicharito scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 76th minute to put United ahead 2-0.
Both matches were played in high-profile environments, and in both matches, Hernandez scored goals for the Red Devils. By coming through in front of the large crowds in attendance at Houston's Reliant Stadium and London's Wembley Stadium, Hernandez proved that he could handle the pressure involved with wearing a United uniform.
His first award
Chicharito earned his first award as a member of Manchester United when he won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in April 2011. United fans voted for Hernandez to receive the award after he scored 20 goals for United during the 2010-2011 season. Chicharito's first award comes with the promise of many more as a member of Manchester United.
He will definitely be a player to watch in the 2011 Champions League final.
Posted in: Football