Chicharito: My low points came at big clubs

Javier Hernandez says he is enjoying a new lease of life in the Bundesliga and is happy to be playing regular first team football once again.

The Mexican spent a year on loan from Manchester United at Real Madrid and although he wrote himself into Madridista folklore for his Champions League quarter final goal against Atletico de Madrid hi spell in the Spanish capital was one largely of frustration.

Chicharito had left Old Trafford in the hope the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu would reignite his stalling career. Having sold Alvaro Morata to Juventus, Real needed a new striker. But Hernandez spent most of last season on the bench, unable to dislodge Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema on a regular basis.

He moved to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and has netted seven goals in nine games for his new side so far.

In an interview with media in his home country, Hernandez said: “I’m truly blessed and very lucky. If you look closely into my career, most of my ‘low points’ came when I was benched at Manchester United and Real Madrid.

“Now that I’m playing more frequently, all those ‘low points’ will be gone. I know people blast me for missing one chance, even if I score a brace, but haters are gonna hate. I’m very lucky to be here, learning a new language, and working with a team that’s eager to win trophies, that’s enough fuel to keep me motivated.”