Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 5y

Chicharito defends Mexico snub, focused on club

ATLANTA -- Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has defended his decision not to be part of the Mexico national team this summer and is adamant that his immediate future is in Europe, amid regular reports of interest from MLS.

The 31-year-old West Ham United striker is not part of the Mexico squad that will face Venezuela in Atlanta on Wednesday and won't be involved in the Gold Cup, but Hernandez took some offense at former El Tri legend Luis Roberto "Zague" Alves' comments that current Mexican players lack dedication to their national team.

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With Gerardo "Tata" Martino's squad shorn of Hernandez, Carlos Vela, Hirving Lozano and Hector Herrera, Zague aimed a tweet questioning the commitment of certain players to represent their country.

"What happens if in my situation (and I believe that of those that aren't in the national team right now) I continue to feel the moral and sporting pride of being able to represent my country even though, by mutual agreement, they haven't called me into the Gold Cup?" Hernandez answered.

Martino was asked about Hernandez responding to such questions on Twitter and wasn't unduly worried by Hernandez's behavior.

"Javier is in England, he's about to become a father and if he thinks he has to interact with people or to answer them, I've got nothing to say," said Martino in a press conference.

Mexico's top scorer Hernandez has been linked with a potential move to MLS this summer, but indicated that his goal is to stay in Europe.

"I feel very good, very happy and I'll simply decide what is best for what I'm imagining and working for [in the future], but my idea is to stay in Europe," said Hernandez in an interview with Fox Sports.

Recent reports have linked Hernandez with Valencia, with the Mexican's future at West Ham as yet unknown.

Mexico faces Venezuela with doubts over the availability of Leon midfielder Ivan Rodriguez and Philadelphia Union's Marco Fabian due to ankle injuries, with Martino set to name the 23-player Gold Cup squad shortly after the game.

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