Back to the United States Women Newsfeed

Why is Javier Hernandez called Chicharito? Mexico soccer star's nickname explained

Javier Hernandez is the highest-scoring Mexico striker of all-time, and had successful spells at the likes of Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen before stints at West Ham and Sevilla.

The forward most famously goes by the nickname "Chicharito", which is also what he has emblazoned on the back of his kit instead of his full name. But why does he go by that, and what is the significance of the name?

The meaning of his nickname is pretty endearing. "Chicharito" means "little pea" in Spanish and it pays tribute to his father, Javier Hernandez Gutierrez.