Chicharito is weighing a fresh move in 2024 as he plans his next professional chapter.
After nearly four years with the LA Galaxy, Javier Hernández left the club. His time in California was marked by resilience amid injuries that limited his peak performances over consecutive seasons.
Midway through the 2023 MLS season, Hernández suffered a torn ACL. Now, in the late stages of rehabilitation, he is considering the best path for the upcoming year.
GOAL examines the possible destinations for Javier Hernández in 2024:
CHIVAS
A return to Chivas de Guadalajara is emerging as a compelling option. The club that helped shape Hernández into a professional footballer gave him his first professional platform in 2005, and he stayed with them until 2010 when Manchester United came calling. Rejoining the Sacred Flock would reestablish him as a veteran reference on the field, someone who can mentor younger players while delivering leadership and experience. The squad has been seeking a steady figure to anchor the attack, and Hernández could fill that role under manager Veljko Paunovic (attribution: Goal).
SAUDI ARABIA
According to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, a move to Saudi Arabian football is on the table for Hernández as he weighs projects across the region. The Saudi Pro League has attracted global stars in recent years, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané among the players who have drawn attention. Hernández could be part of this growing wave of international talent (attribution: Goal).
MLS
Staying in MLS remains a viable option. The striker has adapted well to life in the United States, and continuing his career in North America is not out of the question. To land as a franchise player in MLS, a club would need an open DP (designated player) slot, or Hernández and his representatives would need to negotiate a package that aligns with his current earnings. A return to the league where he spent his early years would make sense for both sides, given his profile and marketability.
EUROPE
Europe continues to be on the table for Hernández. His decade-long European career spanned England, Spain, and Germany. While it’s possible that he is near the twilight of his competitive years, his skill set and international experience could still attract interest from clubs across the continent. Any potential European destination would likely be measured, with clubs weighing his impact against age and wage considerations.
In sum, the 2024 landscape for Chicharito appears open, with potential reunions in Mexico, lucrative proposals in the Middle East, a continued MLS chapter, or a final European chapter all plausible—each option carrying its own set of opportunities and questions for the player, his agents, and the teams evaluating him.