‘Delusional Until Its Done’: A Mexico Legend Predicts El Tri’s World Cup Result

Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, shared his prediction for El Tri ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Appearing on a FOX Sports roundtable alongside former United States men’s national team star Alexi Lalas and Canadian great Dwayne De Rosario, Hernández didn’t shy away from the never-ending drama surrounding Mexico’s squad at this summer’s 48-team tournament.

Hernándezs bold vision for his country serves as the driving factor of a wide-ranging discussion between representatives from each host nation.

To understand the foundation of his bold forecast, you first have to look at the immense cultural clutter Hernandez had to tune out during his playing days. 

Mexicos soccer landscape has historically been trapped by its own desire for dramatic narratives, similar to the storylines in Mexican telenovelas.

“Because of the soap operas, the culture that we are, we see ourselves only as the heroes or villains,” Hernandez said. “They need to see you sweat, scream, fight for your country, giving it completely all.” 

For Hernandez, breaking this cycle of extreme media theater is the crucial first step if Mexico wants to find success this summer.

“The way that those things happen, then, instead of helping your own country, it’s the other way around, it’s unnecessary noise, pressure, or whatever you want to (call it), it’s unnecessary,” Hernandez said.

Because Hernandez is predicting a historic performance, the fairness of public expectation remains a question mark. 

Lalas questioned if El Tri fans have unrealistic goals for the team. Hernandez flipped the script, clarifying that while demanding the best is fair, wanting to see a playing style that doesn’t match the roster’s current makeup is useless.

“I don’t need to be or have the same quality as you, but I can give the same results, so that puts the perspective and the expectations in (perspective). We don’t have the same quality as Brazil. We’re not gonna play the Jogo Bonito,” Hernandez pointed out. 

“That’s what Mexico (fans) always expect of you: play nice, play Tiki Taka, score 20 goals, defend, (don’t concede) goals.” 

Instead of chasing a superficial style similar to other nations, Hernandez insists fans must embrace not always being favored to win.

“That’s the beauty of sports. You can win games without being the best (in) the game,” Hernandez added. 

Faced with constant backlash, critics and fans alike claim modern Mexican players are too fragile to handle public scrutiny. 

Hernandez rejected this idea, stating that the squad accepts fair evaluations but demands that fans stop comparing them to foreign heavyweights.

“People think that when players come and say this is too much, or, ‘they don’t like criticism.’ No, it’s not about that. We are still Mexico, guys. I love my country till death, but we are still Mexico. We are not Italy,” Hernandez stated bluntly. “We can still win in our way.”

To achieve his projected deep run, Mexico must maximize its own identity. “We need more realistic expectations,” Hernandez said. “Focus on what you are good (at), like try to explore those qualities, and try to win games however you can win.”

While the relentless traveling crowd of El Tri fans used to infuriate Lalas, Hernandez views this fierce, borderless devotion as the ultimate superpower that will anchor