Chicharito wept as LA Galaxy move ended his European dream after Man Utd exit

Javier Hernandez broke down in tears in January 2020 when announcing his move to MLS side LA Galaxy, openly acknowledging that the transfer signalled the end of his European career. The Mexican, who remains his country’s all-time leading scorer, posted an emotional video in which he struggled to compose himself while confirming the deal was close to completion.

“I wanted to speak to you guys because the thing is about to get done, it’s almost certain that I’m going to LA,” Hernandez said, visibly upset. “It’s okay, everything is perfect, it’s only that, well…” — his voice trailing off as the weight of the moment caught up with him.

Hernandez had first arrived in Europe in the summer of 2010, signing for Manchester United fresh from a breakthrough World Cup in South Africa, where he scored twice in four games. His debut season at Old Trafford was a resounding success: 20 goals in all competitions, a Premier League title, and a Champions League final appearance — albeit one that ended in defeat to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona at Wembley.

The striker, affectionately known as Chicharito, maintained double-figure league tallies in each of the following two seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson. His fortunes shifted sharply after Ferguson’s retirement, however. Under David Moyes he struggled for influence, and the writing appeared on the wall when Louis van Gaal, having handed him a start in his first league match in charge, substituted him at half-time. A loan move followed a fortnight later, and Hernandez left Old Trafford permanently in the summer of 2015, joining Bayer Leverkusen.

He proved he still had plenty to offer in the Bundesliga, averaging a goal every other game before moving to West Ham in 2017. His second Premier League chapter was more turbulent — three managers in two years — though he still contributed 16 goals during that period. A subsequent stint at Sevilla in Spain yielded little, and by January 2020 his time in Europe was over.

The move to LA Galaxy brought brighter moments, but it was the closing of the European chapter that clearly hit hardest for a player whose career had been defined by his time on the continent.