Chicharito lands top Mexican sports award

Chicharito

West Ham United striker Chicharito was honoured yesterday with the 2017 National Sports Award in his native Mexico.

The 29-year-old from Guadalajara received the distinction that every year recognises the effort and achievements obtained by Mexican athletes.

The striker has been one of the most successful Mexican players throughout his professional career, having turned out in the colours of Chivas, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen before joining the Hammers last summer

His greatest achievement of the year was breaking the all-time goalscoring record of the Mexican national team, with 49 goals in 98 matches - a number that he will try to increase on Friday evening when El Tri face Belgium in Brussels.

Chicharito was a key man for Mexico throughout the year, and was instrumental in booking their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by finishing first in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying section with 21 points. 

In addition to his sporting achievements, Chicharito has also been involved altruistically, in helping to raise funds for those affected by September's earthquake in Mexico, by creating, along with fellow player Miguel Layún, the YoXMéxico campaign, obtaining important contributions from many parts of the world.