Mexico's all-time leading scorer Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is a goal away from becoming the country's all-time leading scorer at the World Cup but says he's far more concerned with getting out of Group F than setting individual records.
Hernandez's goal Saturday in Rostov-on-Don helped El Tri past South Korea and also put him level with Luis "El Matador' Hernandez with four goals scored at the world's most important tournament. While criticism still arrives from some corners of the Mexican fan base, something Chicharito said will continue to happen to him and his teammates no matter what they do, the majority of fans are fully upon the bandwagon. That all would change if Mexico fails to pick up a point in Wednesday's final group match and misses out on the round of 16 for the first time since the 1978 tournament in Argentina.
"It’s worth nothing, honestly. I’m top goalscorer in the history of the national team, and I’m still going to be criticized. The coaching staff, a manager with world-class talent, he’s criticized as well. We’re very close to making history, and still get criticized. it’s all part of the show," Chicharito said at a news conference Tuesday. "I’m sticking with the people dreaming, people who see us as a mirror showing themselves that they can achieve big things, they can do badass things. I see the whole country believing in us. That stays with me. The reaction in the stadium when you hear the national anthem in the stadium, with the respect of those who after the campaign to eradicate the homophobic chant responded in an incredible manner - which we’re very thankful.
"I’m with Mexico. Javier Hernandez can do achieve what he wants to achieve, he can get to where he wants to get to, but he’ll pass and other players will come. I’ve always said the important thing is the country we represent and that we’re very proud of. If I end up as the top goalscorer at the World Cup in Mexico history, it’d be great, but it doesn’t matter if I do that and, for example, we don’t advance to the next round. First, the county, the group, the team and the things achieved as an individual will happen as a byproduct of that."
Osorio said that while there have been complaints about the team's results and the way he has run it, the majority of Mexicans believe in the national team thanks to the talent in the team and its ability to put in performances over a full 90 minutes.
"Well, coming to Russia the only one questioned was me, not the national team. Many people said it’s a great national team, and I join them," the coach said. "We have very important players, and for a lot of people, those who know the Mexican football history, maybe the best generation. It doesn’t surprise me what we’ve done so far.
"I think with the group we’ve had, and echoing Javier, we’re still building a team capable of competing in both parts, with the courage to play and the courage to fight for every ball. Against Germany, we had the courage to play against the world champion and against Korea to deal with the rigor and determination the opponents had."
That team courage and chemistry could be key Wednesday, with a few changes likely to come to Osorio's starting XI. Hernandez took the time to praise the seven players who are yet to see minutes in the World Cup.
"Those players are giving us a ton, even though they're not on the playing field," he said of Marco Fabian, Jonathan dos Santos, Erick Gutierrez Javier Aquino and the two back-up goalkeepers. "We want to change this mentality. That's what 'imagining cosas chingonas' means. Not only seeing ourselves as world champions, but seeing that as a country we can help, we can come together like they're giving so much value within the team of 23 players. We all have a great opportunity. Hopefully they can be out there soon, whether it's tomorrow, the round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals or the final."
