Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is ready to revolutionise the coverage of the 2024 World Cup — but this time, off the pitch. The iconic Mexican forward, who made history as the first Mexican player to sign for Manchester United in 2010, is preparing to make a radical leap in his career by becoming an analyst on Fox Sports during the world’s biggest football spectacle. A television debut that promises to make waves.
Remember that Chicharito landed at Old Trafford with a modest transfer of 7 million pounds, coming from his beloved club, Chivas Guadalajara. Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t have made a better deal: Hernández scored in his debut match, in the Community Shield against Chelsea, and never stopped scoring goals. Over five years, he accumulated 59 goals in all competitions, winning two Premier League titles and becoming a legend at the English club.
But the Mexican’s career wasn’t limited to Manchester United. He also played for European giants like Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham United, and Sevilla, before heading to the United States to represent LA Galaxy. Currently, he is back at Chivas Guadalajara, where he is concluding his playing career.
Now, at 37, Hernández is preparing to take on a new challenge. According to talkSPORT, the forward will join the Fox Sports team as a commentator during the World Cup coverage. It will be his television debut, and he admits to being excited but aware that he is a “rookie” in this role.
“When the opportunity arose to join a great company like FOX Sports to cover the FIFA World Cup this summer, it was an obvious decision. I am new to this role, so I hope to have fun as an analyst and learn at the same time. But above all, I want to share my vision of the beautiful game and the sport I have played all my life with the fans watching at home,” confessed the Mexican forward.
Chicharito will join a star-studded team, including another former Manchester United forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry — a true dream team for football enthusiasts. Fox Sports is sparing no effort to ensure top-notch coverage of the World Cup in the United States, with Rebecca Lowe leading the presentation throughout the tournament.
This new role comes at a critical time for Hernández, who was recently at the centre of controversies due to controversial statements about gender roles, which were widely criticised by the global public. The Argentine knows that this opportunity could be his chance to rebuild his public image and regain the fans’ sympathy.
The World Cup kicks off on 11 June, and Chicharito’s Mexico will take to the field in the opening match against South Africa. The former international, who earned over 100 caps for the Mexican national team, will certainly watch with passion from the Fox Sports studio, hoping that Javier Aguirre’s team surprises and advances to the final stages.
In the midst of a competition where Brazil leads the odds to win the trophy, closely followed by France, England, and Spain, Javier Hernández’s presence in the commentary booth promises to bring a unique, passionate, and insightful perspective to the world’s biggest football stage. Stay tuned: Chicharito is set to dominate not only the nets but also the airwaves of the 2024 World Cup.
This article first appears in Apito Final.
