LA Galaxy striker Javier Hernandez won’t form part of Mexico’s World Cup squad, says national boss Gerardo Martino. Despite being El Tri’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals, the 34-year-old is set to be one of the big name absentees from this winter’s showpiece in Qatar. Martino has four centre-forwards in training for Mexico’s World Cup warm-up matches this week but the former Barcelona manager has confirmed that he will take only three strikers to Qatar.

However, Martino has confirmed that the door is firmly shut on Hernandez potentially playing in a fourth World Cup. Martino delivered the crushing news to Hernandez via a press conference which was held at LA Galaxy’s home ground, from which the Little Pea currently plays his club football. Chicharito hasn’t represented his country for three years with Martino at the helm, and there is every possibility the poacher has played his last game for his beloved Mexico.

Since Martino was appointed as Mexico boss in January 2019, Hernandez, who has been capped 109 times for Mexico, has played just three times under Martino. Despite scoring 16 goals for the Galaxy this season, the former Manchester United and West Ham striker seemingly doesn’t suit the style of football Martino wants to implement at the World Cup.

In Hernandez’ absence, it seems that Mexico’s goalscoring responsibility will lay with Wolves’ Raul Jimenez as well as Rogelio Funes Mori, Henry Martin and Santiago Gimenez. After being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson following an impressive 2010 World Cup from which he scored against France and Argentina, Hernandez won two Premier League titles under the legendary Scotsman and finished his Manchester United career with 59 goals from 157 appearances.