THE WORLD CUP is famous for introducing some of football’s biggest legends to the global stage.
Pele with Brazil in 1958, Michael Owen with in 1998 and Thomas Muller with Germany in 2010 are just a few breakout stars that went on to reach greatness.
Chivas Guadalajara star Armando Gonzalez is Mexico’s rising star Credit: Reuters
Gonzalez has been passed the torch by Mexico legend Javier Hernandez Credit: TikTok/chihca14_
‘s rising star Armando Gonzalez will be looking to join that list this summer when his nation co-hosts the esteemed competition with the United States and Canada.
Gonzalez, 23, has already made a seismic start in his country’s top flight after being passed the torch by national treasure and cult hero Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.
The striker had a season to remember as he broke ‘s 16-year long record of most league goals scored in a single season for Chivas Guadalajara.
Hernandez, 38, hit the target a staggering 21 times in 2010 for Chivas, just a few months before Man Utd came calling.
Gonzalez broke Hernandez’s league goal tally in a single season at Chivas Credit: TikTok/chihca14_
Manchester United hero Hernandez publicly praised Gonzalez ahead of the World Cup Credit: Getty
A glittering career followed for the Mexican legend who spent five years at Old Trafford and endeared himself to United’s demanding fans before going to d, Bayer Leverkusen, and Sevilla.
And Gonzalez broke that streak this past season after netting a whopping 24 goals across the Mexican league’s Apertura and Clausura stages with Chivas.
That led to a raft of recognition across the country, but no one sang the forward’s praises more than Chicharito himself.
So much so that Hernandez literally passed the mantle to Gonzalez in a video that showed the legendary striker officially handing over his iconic No14 international jersey to the young attacker.
Gonzalez has been dubbed ‘The Ant’ due to his ability to overcome his fears Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Another major characteristic that ties the two forwards is their popular nicknames.
Hernandez is known as Chicharito, which means ‘Little Pea’ in Spanish, due to his father’s distinct green eyes which led to the nickname ‘Chicharo’, which translates to ‘Pea’.
And Gonzalez has been dubbed ‘Hormiga’, which translates to ‘Ant’ in Spanish, due to the crippling fear he had of the insects when he was a child.
According to the Mexico international’s father Armando Gonzalez Bejarano, it all started when his son was growing up in their ranch in Celaya, Guanajuato with his siblings Mariana and Emilio.
The three kids had a traumatic encounter with an anthill that led to Gonzalez developing a phobia after seeing his sister and brother cry and scream as they suffered heavy bites.
The nickname, though, quickly developed into a symbol of his tenacity, bravery and ability to conquer his worst fears on the pitch.
The little boy that used to tremble at the sight of a single ant has developed into a man who plays without fear and stands out for his aggressiveness as well as tenacious pressing of opposing defenders.
And the No9’s grit has already led to transfer interest from Europe with the likes of and Feyenoord keeping tabs.
Gonzalez currently counts one goal in seven caps with Mexico, which means he has a long way to go to beat Hernandez’s international record tally of 52 goals in 109 appearances.
Chicharito retired from international football back in 2019 and is currently a free agent after leaving Chivas last year where he played with his heir apparent.
Gonzalez will be a central part of Mexico boss Javier Aguirre’s plans this summer with El Tri kicking off the on June 11 against South Africa before facing South Korea and the Czech Republic.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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