Javier "Chicharito" Hernández Confesses How Signing With Atlético Dallas Restored His Desire to Play

Javier "Chicharito" Hernández admitted he seriously considered retirement after leaving Chivas. Now, thanks to Atlético Dallas, he says he has rediscovered his passion for football and explained why this new chapter could redefine the end of his career.

Chicharito Admits He Considered Walking Away From Football

After months of uncertainty, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández has opened up about one of the most difficult moments of his career. The all-time leading scorer in the history of the Mexico national team admitted that after his spell with Chivas, he completely lost the desire to keep playing and even seriously considered retiring from professional football.

Everything changed, however, with the arrival of Atlético Dallas, the club that made him the first signing in its history and, according to the striker himself, gave him back the motivation to compete. During his official presentation, the Mexican forward made an emotional confession that surprised many of his fans.

"They gave me back the desire to play football," he said during his presentation with the Texas-based club, making it clear that his break from the game was about much more than football itself.

According to the statements Hernández made during his official presentation, that personal recovery was the deciding factor in accepting the Atlético Dallas project, with the club set to debut in the USL Championship in 2027.

A Fresh Start in the United States

Atlético Dallas is a newly established franchise that selected Chicharito as the first player in club history, a decision that highlights the media impact and sporting reputation the Mexican striker still carries.

The veteran forward signed a two-year contract and will wear the No. 14 shirt, beginning a new chapter seven months after becoming a free agent following his departure from Chivas. During that time, he also worked as a television analyst during the 2026 FIFA World Cup while deciding what the next step of his career would be.

After representing clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Sevilla, LA Galaxy, and Guadalajara, the Mexican star is now looking to finish his career by once again enjoying the sport that made him an international football icon.

He Also Criticized Mexican Football

During his presentation, Chicharito also took the opportunity to analyze the evolution of football in the United States and compare it with the current state of the sport in Mexico.

The striker highlighted how the growth of academies, universities, and football infrastructure in the United States has strengthened player development, while also pointing to international stars such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Heung-min Son, and Thomas Müller as examples of the league's growing appeal.

In contrast, he lamented that the elimination of the promotion and relegation system in Mexico has reduced opportunities for young talents to compete and earn their way to higher levels.

According to Hernández, a successful league needs both international superstars and a strong foundation of players capable of consistently sustaining the level of competition. In his opinion, that balance has weakened in Mexican football over the past few years.

The Final Chapter of a Career Still Being Written

At 38 years old, Chicharito's comments make it clear that this stage of his career is no longer focused solely on scoring goals or winning trophies, but on enjoying every training session and every match once again.

The Atlético Dallas project also represents an intriguing part of the continued growth of American soccer. The USL Championship, currently the country's second division, is expected to introduce a promotion and relegation system beginning in 2028, a change that could completely reshape the competition.