News24
24 Jan 2020, 16:13 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 Irish 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 Irish Sun.
More InformationSOLOMON ISLANDS: In a move that opponents said is aimed at controlling and censoring the media, the government of the ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: In July, a Florida man was killed by exploding Takata airbag inflators, possibly becoming the 20th death in ...
Israel has launched an unprovoked war against the Palestinian resistance group Islamic Jihad. The Israeli army assassinated a high-ranking commander ...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan categorically denied on Thursday that a U.S. drone strike in Kabul that killed al-Qaeda chief Ayman ...
EAST NUSA TENGGARA, Indonesia: Hundreds of Indonesian tourism workers went on strike this week to protest a sharp rise in ...
NASSAU, Bahamas: A team of explorers have announced that they have uncovered a treasure, including coins, gemstones and priceless jewels, ...
LONDON, England: British Airways has halted ticket sales for short-haul flights that depart before the middle of August from London's ...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland's bars and nightclubs will be allowed to operate into the early morning under new regulations being proposed ...
BERLIN, Germany: The German government's basic COVID-19 restrictions would return this fall and winter, when experts expect cases to rise ...
LONDON, England: During the record-breaking heatwave that swept Europe, England and France recorded their driest July since 1935 and 1959, ...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Due to the hot, dry summer affecting most of Europe, the Dutch government has declared a national water ...
REYKJAVIK, Iceland: Iceland's Meteorological Office has said that only eight months after its last eruption ended, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in ...