Photo: Harry How / Getty Images
For: EFE Updated 11 May 2022, 7 : 49 am EDT
Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández defended his compatriot Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez on Tuesday, who lost on Saturday to Dmitry Bivol for the World Boxing Association light heavyweight title, and further maintained that Mexico should have a more positive look towards its sports stars.
“ With ‘Canelo’, if you look, it’s even incredible and admirable that he only had his second loss in I don’t know how many years. And now all the people want to crucify him…“, he told the media after an LA Galaxy act on mental health, sports and youth.
“’Canelo’ was the first who wanted to win, just like ‘Checo’ Pérez was the first who wanted to be on the podium (at the Miami Grand Prix) and even win the race”, pointed out Chicharito, who also opted to “change the narrative” in Mexico regarding sport to “admire” the athletes, thank them for “their effort” and also look for “deeper and more positive messages”.
In a similar sense, Chicharito assured that “ a victory or a defeat does not define the extraordinary human being and the cool athlete“.
“Sometimes we just like it rate the humans and the whole world: if you win, vouchers; And if you lose, you’re no longer worth it. I have never been in favor of that”, he added.
Chicharito participated this Tuesday in an act of the LA Galaxy in which he spoke with teenagers about mental health
, a matter that the striker has addressed in recent years with great frankness, explaining his problems with anxiety and depression.
The striker shared his experiences with the players of the LA Galaxy Academy and with the players of the Cal State Domínguez women’s soccer team.
“This is something very nice. For me it is something very gratifying to be able to tell things about my life and make myself as vulnerable as possible (…). I only share what I have lived, what I live and what I would like to live too”, he said.
“The truth is that I am very happy that a club like LA Galaxy, as important as it is in this country and in this sport, would dare to hold these conversations“He added.
At that round table with Dr. Armando ‘Mondo’ González, Chicharito talked about self-care, dealing with anxiety and depression, and , in short, about how important it is that athletes not only pay attention to their physical health but also their mental health.
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