‘Delusions until it’s done’: Mexico legend predicts El Tri’s World Cup result

Mexico’s leading scorer, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, shared his prediction for El Tri ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Appearing on a FOX Sports roundtable with former US men’s national team star Alexi Lalas and Canadian great Dwayne De Rosario, Hernández didn’t shy away from the never-ending drama surrounding Mexico’s squad at this summer’s 48-team tournament.

Hernández’s bold vision for his country serves as the driving factor in a wide-ranging discussion between representatives from each host nation.

Mexico’s ‘Soap Opera’ soccer identity

To understand the basis for his bold forecast, first look at the enormous cultural mess Hernandez had to tune out during his playing days.

Mexico’s soccer landscape has historically been caught up in its own desire for dramatic narratives, similar to the stories in Mexican soap operas.

“Because of the soap operas, the culture that we are, we only see ourselves as the heroes or the villains,” Hernandez said. “They need to see you sweat, scream, fight for your country and give it your all.”

For Hernandez, breaking this cycle of extreme media theatrics is the crucial first step if Mexico is to find success this summer.

“The way those things happen, instead of helping your own country, it’s the other way around, it’s unnecessary noise, pressure, or whatever you want to (call it), it’s unnecessary,” Hernandez said.

Are the expectations for Mexico justified?

Mexico will become the first nation to host or co-host three FIFA World Cups, the first two of which took place in 1970 and 1986. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Because Hernandez is predicting a historic performance, the fairness of the public’s expectations remains a question mark.

Lalas asked if El Tri fans have unrealistic goals for the team. Hernandez flipped the script, clarifying that while it’s fair to demand the best, it’s useless to want to see a style of play that doesn’t match the roster’s current makeup.

“I don’t have to be or have the same quality as you, but I can give the same results, so it puts the perspective and expectations in (perspective). We don’t have the same quality as Brazil. We don’t have to play Jogo Bonito,” Hernandez pointed out.

“That’s what Mexico (fans) always expect from you: play nice, play Tiki Taka, score 20 goals, defend, (not concede) goals.”

Instead of chasing a superficial style similar to other nations, Hernandez insists fans must embrace not always being favored to win.

“That’s the beauty of sports. You can win games without being the best (at) the game,” Hernandez added.

Criticism of Mexico’s style of play

Faced with constant backlash, critics and fans alike argue that modern Mexican players are too fragile to handle public scrutiny.

Hernandez rejected this idea, stating that the team accepts fair evaluations, but demands that fans stop comparing them to foreign heavyweights.

“People think that when players come and say ‘this is too much’ or ‘they don’t like criticism’. No, it’s not about that. We’re still Mexico, guys. I love my country to death, but we’re still Mexico. We’re not Italy,” Hernandez said bluntly. “We can still win our way.”

To achieve its expected deep run, Mexico must maximize its own identity. “We need more realistic expectations,” Hernandez said. “Focus on what you’re good (at), like trying to explore those qualities and try to win games, but you can win.”

The power of El Tri’s fan base

Mexico City will be an epic backdrop at the World Cup (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

While the relentless traveling crowd of El Tri fans used to infuriate Lalas, Hernandez regards this fierce, boundless devotion as the ultimate superpower that will anchor his World Cup prediction.

He shared an emotional memory from the 2018 tournament to illustrate the magnitude of the El Tri faithful.

“In the World Cup in Russia when we played against Germany, that’s why I cried and I was so emotional because it’s crazy,” Hernandez recalled. “We’re in Moscow playing the actual world champions and we had a home game.”

De Rosario noted that Canada is hoping to build on the “12th man” energy, but Hernandez reminded him that Mexico has the home atmosphere everywhere in North America.

“During one of the last games I played (against Canada in Canada), I think it was in Vancouver… we were the home team, we were local,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez’s Prediction: ‘Dream Big’

Raul Jimenez and Mexico’s team will have extra pressure as World Cup hosts. (Photo by Eduardo Valdez/Jam Media/Getty Images)

Everything builds on the ultimate question: can Mexico finally crush quinto partido curse – which is about reaching the quarter-finals, also called the fifth match at a World Cup tournament – ​​which now means reaching sex partido (sixth game) in the new 48-team layout that includes an extra knockout round?

Hernandez told Lalas that he expects El Tri to top Group A (which includes South Korea, the Czech Republic and South Africa) and get past the round of 16. Then Lalas asked what would happen in the Round of 16.

“What we all want to see happen … they go through,” Hernandez responded.

Lalas pressed him on reality versus hope. Hernandez differentiated the concept of getting stuck where you traditionally perform from failure.

“In my country they love to say, ‘if we don’t go to the quinto partido, it’s a failure’, it’s not a failure. We’ve been used to doing it. We still are. Qatar was a failure. You didn’t go through the group (stage). It’s a failure because we were used to (getting) to (the) round of 16 explained,” Hernandez.

Despite a less-than-ideal cycle, Hernandez remains very optimistic for El Tri, even when asked by Lalas if he envisioned a dream scenario where Mexico reached the final.

“I’m a strong believer, I’m Mexican, it feels better to hope for the best. Dream big,” Hernandez admitted. “I love this phrase ‘They (call) you crazy until it’s done,’ you know, ‘delusional until it’s done’… I know some of the players that are there… they’re going to do a lot better than a lot of people think, because why not?”