Thierry Henry Took Issue with Chicharito Celebrating His Game-Winning Champions League Quarterfinal Goal

Javier Hernandez, better known to the soccer world as Chicharito, scored for Real Madrid vs. Alteico Madrid in their Champions League quaterfinal. The 88th minute goal proved to be the only one of the two-legged affair and it propelled Real Madrid into its fourth straight Champions League semifinal. Beyond that it was the first time Los Blancos beat their city rivals during the 2014-15 season. AND it was without a doubt the most important goal Chicharito scored for the club during his mostly forgettable loan from Manchester United.

As you would expect, Chicharito decided to celebrate, sliding to his knees near the corner flag. On a scale of soccer celebrations it was maybe, at best, a three out of 10. Hum drum.

In fact, the cameras immediately cut to Cristiano Ronaldo, who set up the goal, rather than the Mexican international.

For some reason Sky Sports analyst Thierry Henry took exception to Hernandez’s celebration, saying (via ESPNFC), “What I don’t like is ‘Chicharito’ seems like he’s won the World Cup with that.” Per Sky, Henry would have preferred if Chicharito celebrated with Ronaldo.

True, a Champions League quarterfinal isn’t winning the World Cup but it’s, you know, kind of a big deal. For all his greatest at Arsenal, Barcelona and eventually the New York Red Bulls, Henry always tended to march to the beat of his own drummer, so in that sense his distaste for Chicharito celebrating isn’t too far out of left field. As usual, ex-pros complaining about trivial matters such as post-goal celebrations prompt plenty of sighs and or eye rolls.

If we want to talk excessive, how about Henry’s reaction to his controversial goal vs. the Republic of Ireland in the 2010 World Cup playoff qualifiers?

Then again, Henry did offer the least-excited goal celebration in the history of soccer back in 2013.

Remember that the next time you score an important goal, Javier.