Javier Hernandez is the highest-scoring Mexico striker of all-time, and had successful spells at the likes of Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen before stints at West Ham and Sevilla.
The forward most famously goes by the nickname "Chicharito", which is also what he has emblazoned on the back of his kit instead of his full name. But why does he go by that, and what is the significance of the name?
The meaning of his nickname is pretty endearing. "Chicharito" means "little pea" in Spanish and it pays tribute to his father, Javier Hernandez Gutierrez. Javier Hernandez Sr. was known as "El Chicharo" – which translates to "the pea", in reference to his green eyes just like his son.
The older Hernandez won 28 caps for the Mexico national team, and was part of the team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1984 World Cup. A midfielder, he played for Tecos, Puebla FC and Monarcas Morelia and coached Guadalajara's reserve team.
He requested permission to take time off from his job in order to watch his son play in the 2010 World Cup, which was denied – and so he quit his job to travel to the tournament in South Africa.
“I asked for permission to go to the World Cup, and they didn’t allow me,” Hernandez Sr. told reporters at the time.
"I had to think about it for two days with my family and kids and I made the decision to quit because I want to go to the World Cup and see my kid play. Work is secondary.”
He continued: "It was difficult, but in the end one is not eternal.
"Institutions remain for lives and one doesn’t. Moments from your life is what makes you take that decision. I understand the institution and that no one is above it, but one is also just here in passing."
Chicharito has since become one of Mexico's most important players, winning the Concacaf Gold Cup and Concacaf Cup in 2011 and 2015, respectively.
He earned his 100th Mexico cap in 2018 in a friendly match against Croatia, and went on to impress at the 2018 World Cup and became the joint-highest scoring Mexican player at the World Cup with four goals (level with Luis Hernandez).
At club level, he has won two Premier League titles with Man Utd as well as the Community Shield, along with the Club World Cup with Real Madrid.
radcdlno
0
Mexicans speak Spanish as their official language....most of the Latinos speak Latin made languages-spanish, Portuguese and french...
Thank you for this my exact question
paulmomodu7
0
So why is Mexican called in Spanish name ." little plea" since his dads day
Mexicans speak Spanish as their official language....most of the Latinos speak Latin made languages-spanish, Portuguese and french...
dusabcelo
0
Kaka: Ricardo Ezecson Dos Santos Leite Salsadinho
BraAnointed12
0
chichar we love you as a formal Man Utd player
David Moyes causes all this frustration
BraAnointed12
4
Chelsea master
Kirianaka
3
did they also say every Mexican must have the name Hernandez??
CylinderEarther
0
was his father Spanish ? I want to understand how you get soo popular with a foreign name or did his father play in Spain in his childhood ?
Spanish as in the language not the nationality
jerrymwas
4
Legends say Peter Cech still has nightmares of Chicharito.....
Profnick
1
I still don't know why he was sold??? I loved this guy
Lemikiba
3
It's just a nickname like these Egyptians players called Ahmed Hossam also known as (Mido), Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan also known as (Trezeguet).
EIEBDIEH
0
look waste of space ,why dont u do everyone a favor and kill urself hm?
Wow man look what society has turned into. Not cool man not cool. At least handle it well like that estera but telling someone to take their life. I really hope you didn’t mean that
MadimetjaSane
0
because he used to hunt peas
miwdmruy
0
.this is the time we need he now
johbckmrs
0
chichar we love you as a formal Man Utd player
wrong selling by Man Utd
kiddyking17
1
the Chelsea destroyer
zebdikpru
0
My favourite player
radcdlno
0
because he's the junior of his father. his father is the big pea, while he's little pea is that clear?
was his father Spanish ? I want to understand how you get soo popular with a foreign name or did his father play in Spain in his childhood ?
Radaloprtz
0
So why is Mexican called in Spanish name ." little plea" since his dads day
because he's the junior of his father. his father is the big pea, while he's little pea is that clear?
Verony
2
little green pea
Buhariikeoluwa
1
chichar we love you as a formal Man Utd player
zipabmnstu
0
There was no World Cup in 1984
sure😂😂
Weycpsty
0
Get a life your annoying ass Is on this app 24/7
look waste of space ,why dont u do everyone a favor and kill urself hm?
mzeereal
6
Hernandez was a catalyst.. Ferguson knows perfect time of bringing him off bench and he will surely deliver. the guy is good 💯
Lilbaby♥️
0
Get a life your annoying ass Is on this app 24/7
😂😂
radcdlno
2
So why is Mexican called in Spanish name ." little plea" since his dads day
Medalno
4
There was no World Cup in 1984
spalbar
4
Mexican player
Zedbeisuyz
3
Quation and anwser