Photo: Manchester United's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez Will Not Play on Mexico's Olympic Team
Mexican futbol player, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez of Manchester United, will not be playing in the London Olympics this summer.
The 23-year-old striker had been selected as one of three players over the 23-year-old age limit to play for Mexico, but an agreement between Manchester manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the Mexican Football Federation has taken Hernandez out of the Olympics. The deal was intended to give him “the requisite rest that he needs to perform in the Premier League.”
This was an interesting decision, as FIFA rules state that if players are called up, their club must release them. Ahead of the Beijing Olympics, F.C. Barcelona tried to prevent superstar Lionel Messi from competing on Argentina’s Olympic team, citing similar reasons, however, they were unsuccessful. Argentina went on to win the gold medal.
The decision comes after a less than stellar year for Hernandez, who many believed was unable to live up to his previous year with Manchester because he was not well rested.
Hernandez will play in Mexico’s two qualifier matches for the 2012 World Cup on June 8 and 12, but will then take a full off-season to rest before starting his third year with Manchester. This will mark the first time Hernandez has had a full off-season rest in three years.
The Mexican national team will play its first 2012 Olympic match against South Korea on July 26.
