Chicharito tells Borna: Being called a “Super-Sub” is a compliment, not an insult

Tehran - BORNA - Hernández — currently playing for Guadalajara and formerly of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen — was featured in FourFourTwo’s September issue, where fans submitted questions via social media. During the session, Borna’s correspondent asked how he feels about being labeled a “super-sub” despite his impressive goal-scoring record.

“When you come off the bench, you’re not in the rhythm of the match,” Chicharito explained. “You have to adapt instantly. Sometimes you only get one or two chances in 15 minutes and must convert them. That role is very important, even though most of the talk is about the starting eleven.”

Reflecting on his career, he noted: “In my first season with Bayer Leverkusen, I scored 30 goals. I knew I could keep scoring, but it was never just about me — it was about the needs of the team. Every player wants to play as much as possible, but being a super-sub is even harder, and I’ve embraced it. For me, the nickname is a compliment.”

Chicharito’s words underline a broader truth: in modern football, impact substitutes are no longer marginal figures but decisive assets capable of changing matches — and Hernández has embodied that role at the highest level.

End Article