09 June 2023 , 19:21
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LA Galaxy have confirmed that club captain Javier Hernandez has suffered a serious knee injury.
Hernandez suffered the injury playing for Galaxy against Real Salt Lake in the US Open Cup on Wednesday. Galaxy - four-time MLS Cup winner - lost the game 3-2 to exit the competition at the quarter-final stage.
The 35-year-old suffered the injury midway through the first half of the contest with the score 1-0 to Salt Lake at the time. As Hernandez took control of the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he collapsed to the floor with no contact from an opposition player and was in clear distress.
Galaxy and Salt Lake players called for medical assistance immediately, and the former Manchester United forward was eventually carried off on a stretcher. A statement released on Friday confirmed that Hernandez suffered an ACL injury that will require surgery.
The Galaxy statement read: “The LA Galaxy today announced that forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernández sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the club’s 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal match against Real Salt Lake on June 7.
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“Hernández will undergo surgery on a date to be determined to begin the rehabilitation process.”
Hernandez was in the middle of his fourth season with Galaxy, after signing for the club from Sevilla for a fee just under $9 million in 2020. He has since gone on to score 39 goals in 83 total appearances.
The severity of the injury will almost certainly rule Hernandez out for the remainder of the season, which is due to finish in October, And given the 35-year–old is out of contract at the end of the campaign, there is no doubt over whether or not his career in Los Angeles will continue.
Javier Hernandez suffered the knee injury during LA Galaxy's US Open Cup loss to Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)Hernandez started his career in his homeland with Mexican club Chivas and earned his big move when Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to sign for Manchester United. In 2010, the striker moved to Old Trafford and would become a cult hero at the club.
Winning two league titles, he would eventually move on when he signed for Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, after spending the previous season on loan at Real Madrid. That would not be the only experience in the Premier League.
Hernandez returned to England with West Ham in 2017 where he spent the next two seasons of his career. After moving to Seville in 2019, it would be another 18 months before he would be experiencing the MLS.
The Mexican international is a fan favourite with Galaxy, and was made club captain just a month after signing for the club in 2020. His loss will be a major blow to Galaxy’s chances of having a successful season, with the team currently bottom of the Western Conference with just 12 points from their 15 games so far.