Chicharito Hernández spent his final days as a Real Madrid player in the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (Centre of High Perfromance), in Mexico, as he began preparations for the 2015 Gold Cup, to be played in the USA and Canada between 7 and 26 July. The striker’s loan period with Los Blancos comes to an end on 1 July after which he is due back at Manchester United and will look to either earn a place in the starting line-up or lmove on.
Neverthelss, Chicharito will still leave Real Madrid with fond memories: “I learned a lot during my season at Real Madrid. It helped me find myself again as a player,” the Mexican striker said.
The high point in Chicharito’s loan spell came in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with his winning goal against city neighbours Atlético Madrid: “The goal against Atlético was a relief because it was a difficult year with very few opportunities. It was a release,” he admitted.
With only eight starts in La Liga, three in the Champions League and two in the Copa del Rey, the Mexican's year at Madrid was defined by hard work and limitedopportunities: “I had to warm the bench a lot. It was massively frustrating because I didn’t feel important.”
Finally, the Mexico international didn’t hold back in his praise for Cristiano: “Cristiano is an amazing player. What can I say. He is a clear example of how hard work pays off.”