Mexican soccer player Javier “Chicharito” Hernández is at the center of a strong controversy after posting on Instagram a series of messages about gender roles that have been branded as sexist and retrograde. His statements, which have generated negative reactions both in Mexico and other countries, have even led to demands for sanctions by international sports bodies such as FIFA.
In one of his most recent videos, the Guadalajara Chivas striker launched a series of opinions that have ignited the networks. According to Hernandez, many women have stopped “honoring their feminine energy” by moving away from the traditional role in the home. He even went so far as to state that “women are failing” and that this attitude has contributed to society becoming “hypersensitive” by undermining masculinity.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid player went further by suggesting that women should allow themselves to be guided by men, who – according to him – only want to make them happy. “Don’t be afraid to be women,” he said in his video, while inviting women to take care of, clean and sustain the home, which he called “the most precious place for men.”
But Hernandez did not only address his message to women. He also took the opportunity to call on men, noting that many have lost their commitment, avoid expressing their emotions and have stopped being responsible in their relationships. Even so, she expressed her desire for men to return to being providers, protectors and respectable figures within the family.
Reactions were quick to follow. Spanish actress Sara Sálamo, known for her activism on gender equality issues, was one of the first public figures to speak out. From her social networks, she harshly questioned “Chicharito” and asked FIFA to take action on the matter. “These types of messages are not simple opinions, they are manifestations of a rancid, violent and systematic machismo,” she wrote, pointing out that a player with global reach cannot use his platform to promote stereotypes that go against equality.
Sálamo also emphasized that soccer, as a sport with millions of followers around the world, has an ethical and social responsibility. “True commitment to equality is not demonstrated with advertising campaigns, but with concrete actions: sanctions, limits and firm decisions.”
In social networks, criticism of the striker has been massive and diverse. Not only female users expressed their rejection, but also men who considered his statements as disrespectful. Some people even questioned how his words impact the image of Club Guadalajara, especially considering that the club has an active and competitive women’s squad.
This is not the first video with a controversial tone that Hernandez has shared recently. In previous publications, he has reflected – not without controversy – on the differences between men and women, asserting that women “live in another reality” and that men, on the other hand, focus on tangible results. Although at other times he has shown a more introspective side, talking about his identity and his personal path, his insistence on reproducing traditional ideas about the role of women has overshadowed those attempts to show himself as more human and sensitive.
So far, neither Javier Hernandez nor FIFA have issued an official statement on the matter. What is certain is that his words have opened an uncomfortable but necessary debate on the responsibility of public figures, the persistence of gender stereotypes and the role of sport in promoting equality in the midst of 2025.