Chicharito Considered Retirement After Difficult Guadalajara Stint

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández is returning to professional soccer in the United States after an absence that included a self-described year-long sabbatical. The 38-year-old forward, who was born on June 1, 1988, was formally introduced as the inaugural signing for the Atlético Dallas, a Texas-based franchise set to join the USL Championship ahead of the 2027 season. His arrival follows a conclusion to his second tenure with Club Deportivo Guadalajara, which ended in December following a playoff elimination.

Weary Exit From Guadalajara and Thoughts of Retirement

Reflecting on his past two years with Chivas, Hernández pulled no punches during his introductory media availability. He explained that the emotional and professional wear-and-tear in Jalisco drained his passion for the sport entirely, pushing him to contemplate walking away from the game for good.

If I took a sabbatical year, it’s because I didn’t want to play anymore and I was thinking about whether I was going to retire or not, but that’s how I finished in Guadalajara, without wanting to play football. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, via mexico.as.com

The forward’s second chapter with the Rebaño Sagrado contrasted with his return in early 2024. Plagued by long physical rehabilitations and recurring injuries, the veteran striker scored fewer than five official goals across four tournaments. The breaking point arrived in late 2025 during the Liguilla quarterfinals against Cruz Azul, where a missed penalty kick in stoppage time sealed an elimination according to El Siglo de Durango.

Finding a New Spark in the USL Championship

While addressing reporters, Hernández emphasized that the outreach from the Atlético Dallas project completely altered his perspective. Having prioritized his mental health during his months away from the pitch—which included working as a sports commentator during the World Cup—he found renewed enthusiasm upon connecting with the club’s leadership.

Personally I am fine and happy, it is a blessing that they prioritized my mental health and my life, and that suddenly this opportunity arrives is surreal. In Guadalajara I lost the desire to play football. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, via Récord

The Mexican national team’s all-time leading goalscorer signed a deal running through November 2028. He defended the competitive caliber of the USL Championship, noting his prior experience in American soccer with the LA Galaxy from 2020 to 2023 and pointing out that lower-tier clubs frequently challenge Major League Soccer opponents in domestic cups.

Broader Criticisms of Domestic Soccer Structures

Beyond his personal grievances, Hernández used his presentation to critique structural limitations in Mexican club soccer. Comparing the developmental ecosystems of the United States and Mexico, he argued that national player production has stalled following the elimination of promotion and relegation in Mexico.

You have big stars like Messi or myself, but you also need mid-level players to sustain the pyramid. That is something that, for example, stopped in Mexico by eliminating promotion and relegation. Now in Mexico players are not developed or exported as much as before because they do not have the opportunity to compete to move up a category. Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández

Set to wear the number 14 shirt, Hernández stated that his immediate focus remains on training camp preparations ahead of the team’s official debut.