Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez has absolutely nothing to do with “Los Gallos Blancos” de Queretaro.
Yet, Chicharito was chosen by the club to announce its most recent recruit towards the Mexican league Clausura 2021 tournament. But why?
It turns out the announced player was no other than Chicharito’s former teammate at Manchester United, the Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia. Why did Valencia choose to sign with Queretaro?
Queretaro
The club represents Santiago de Queretaro, the region's capital bearing the same name, about 250km north of Mexico City. Founded in 1950, it was never considered a force to reckon with until about a decade ago, when Queretaro found its place near the top. The club had some successful campaigns and even won the Mexican cup in 2016. Last year, the league management decided to freeze relegation for six years to attract investors.
The strategy was to lower the risk of losing capital in case of relegation. A group of Mexican investors that already had ties with Atlante from the 2nd tier seized the opportunity and purchased Queretaro. But the first steps weren’t so smooth, with Queretaro ranked 17th at season’s end with only three wins. But instead of giving up, the new owners learned their lesson and adjusted their strategy. This is where Valencia comes into the picture.
Came to promote the new project in Queretaro. Valencia (Photo: Antonio Valencia official Twitter account)
Valencia is still a superb athlete, but he is not the same player we know from his days in Old Trafford. Age plays its role in slowing players down and teaching them to play a bit more carefully, but age also brings wisdom and game insight. No wonder that he was instantaneously given the captain armband.
Valencia brought some friends with him: his fellow Ecuadorian Jefferson Montero returned for his second Mexican tour. Veteran defender Omar Mendoza and Jonathan Dos Santos of Uruguay, the Peruvian league top scorer, were on the train as well. It’s no wonder that Queretaro already won three games out of five, the same achievement they achieved in the entire last season.
Maturity over show
While there are big names involved, Valencia’s transfer is something different. It’s a statement. This is the place to remind that several years ago, Queretaro was able to sign no other than Ronaldinho Gaucho. The Brazilian magician surprised everyone when signing with a middle table club in Mexico. Obviously, his arrival intrigued international curiosity and brought considerable attention to the club and the league. Ronaldinho showed his magic and amused the fans and media. But we all know Ronaldinho. Antonio Valencia runs a different show.
Investing in Valencia is a professional signing, but also a strategic one. He is to become the symbol of the new era for the club. He will not gain even half of the attention Ronaldinho attracted, and he is closer to retirement than to the peak of his career. Still, he represents a more mature, responsible approach.
While he will earn his fair share in his new club, it’s not all about the money for Valencia. He chose to arrive in Mexico to become a leader and the face of the new Queretaro project. He is there to play, but more importantly, provide inspiration, guidance and set a new international standard. He was seen in the stands during the youth teams’ training sessions and matches, hinting that his role with the club might be a long term one.
No one in Mexico expects Queretaro to win the title, even the team's most die-hard fans. Valencia’s challenge is to lead an attractive playing team, gain good results and set the foundations for a better future.
Antonio Valencia’s nickname is “el tren”, The Train, given to him due to his powerful physique; This season, he is about to take Queretaro on an exciting ride - hopefully a successful one.
Represent a mature and responsible approach in a club searching for its identity. Valencia (Photo: Antonio Valencia official Twitter)
