Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's signing with the LA Galaxy has created media buzz across North America from the moment it was first reported that it was a possibility weeks ago.
It only follows that Mexico's leading sports dailies would give the official signing plenty of front-page coverage.
Cancha
Headline: "Conquered: With the signing of CH14, MLS has the forward with most years abroad, the top scorer for El Tri and the Liga MX scoring champion"
Cancha tied the Chicharito signing to those of Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City) and Carlos Vela (LAFC) in a two-page spread featuring the headline: "MLS is seducing Mexicans."
One sidebar focused on FC Dallas landing Pachuca center forward Franco Jara. "He's not Mexican, but they still took Franco Jara," read the lead.
Esto
Headline: "Commotion: Before even landing in Los Angeles, the marketing machine whose jersey is already on sale for Galaxy fans. A multitude [of fans] in the United States are waiting for him today"
Esto focused on the buzz that Chicharito has created among traditional media, social media and fans. Their two-page spread was headlined "tremendous salesman." Reactions from Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Dennis Te Kloese and Jonathan Dos Santos complemented the coverage.
El Universal
Headline: "Good Business: Whatever happens on the field, the arrival of Javier Hernandez at the LA Galaxy will be an economic success given his popularity among Mexicans in the USA"
El Universal's two-page spread touched on the business side of the deal with a graphic featuring the top 5 MLS jerseys sold in 2019. The layout featured the four players who were "Stolen from Liga MX" (Lucas Cavallini, Edison Flores, Alan Pulido, Franco Jara), the five top Mexican stars to feature for the LA Galaxy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's numbers in LA ("What Chicharito Has to Beat").
Record
Headline: "Whoever thinks I'm coming to retire is wrong"
The paper dedicated four full pages to Chicharito's signing with the Galaxy, including a writeup on the Galaxy's announcement video, all Chicharito's comments from his interview with MLSsoccer.com personality Calen Carr, as well as reaction from his new Galaxy teammates Jonathan Dos Santos and Joe Corona.
One interesting facet of Record's coverage: A panel of ESPN experts were asked whether MLS is stealing the spotlight from Liga MX. Three of the four said "yes."
