News24
24 Jan 2020, 11:43 GMT+10
United States - Javier Hernandez admitted Thursday his career had entered the retirement phase after signing with Los Angeles Galaxy, but stressed his playing days were far from over.
Speaking at a press conference, the Mexican international striker insisted his move to Major League Soccer after a decade in Europe was motivated by a desire to prolong his career.
"I just want to play and this league is giving that opportunity," said Hernandez, who is set to become the highest-paid player in MLS after inking a three-year deal with the Galaxy.
"I'm one of the best players around the world and that's why they want me to be here to try to increase this league ... " the 31-year-old said.
Hernandez had raised eyebrows after comments in a video blog published online earlier this week where he discusses his move to Los Angeles with his father.
"Everything is okay, everything is perfect dad, it's only that, well it's like the beginning of my retirement, you know?" Hernandez remarks wistfully.
Later in the video Hernandez says that while he expects the Los Angeles move to be "amazing", he is "retiring from the European dream."
On Thursday Hernandez emphasised that he was fully committed to his new career in the United States, stating he expected to play for many more years.
"I think in all the world and in my country we love and we are obsessed with drama and excess," Hernandez said when asked about his retirement comments.
"So they don't really listen to what I said. It's just the beginning, hopefully it will last 10 years, maybe I will play until I'm 40, maybe play in Australia.
"It's just the beginning of the retirement, but I want to make that retirement as great as I can."
Get a daily dose of Poland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Poland Sun.
More InformationDUBLIN, Ireland: Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy says new laws to regulate vaping products will help make them less attractive to young...
MADRID, Spain: A routine oversight by Spain's power grid operator, REE, has been identified as the trigger behind the large-scale blackout...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Egyptian authorities released Paul Murphy, TD, from the People Before Profit party after his second detention on June...
DUBLIN, Ireland: In a significant demonstration outside Leinster House in Dublin, hundreds of housing protesters voiced their frustration...
PARIS, France: The Paris Airshow kicked off on June 16, attracting attention with expected aircraft orders, but overshadowed by the...
BARCELONA/MADRID, Spain: With another record-breaking tourist season underway, thousands of residents across southern Europe marched...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina: Since taking office in December 2023, Argentine President Javier Milei has implemented sweeping austerity...
LEMBATA, Indonesia: Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted dramatically on June 18, generating substantial ash and smoke plumes....
MADRID, Spain: A routine oversight by Spain's power grid operator, REE, has been identified as the trigger behind the large-scale blackout...
WASHINGTON, DC - In a bid to defuse speculation, U.S. President Donald Trump says he will make his decision on whether to have the...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A quiet shift inside the Trump administration has stalled a key diplomatic initiative aimed at pushing Russia toward...
NEW DELHI, India: Indian investigators are examining the black boxes from a Boeing 787 Dreamliner to determine the cause of a catastrophic...