PANAMA CITY -- Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is not obsessed with equaling Jared Borgetti's Mexico goal-scoring record, but admits it'll be good when he finally does get it.
The 28-year-old is one goal away from leveling Borgetti's 46 goals for Mexico, but hasn't scored for Mexico since the Copa America Centenario and only has three in 2016.
"It'll be nice when it comes, but it isn't something that obsesses [me]," said Hernandez in a press conference on Monday, ahead of El Tri's World Cup qualifier on Tuesday against Panama.
Previewing Mexico vs. Panamá from outside Estadio Rommel Fernandez with @katiacastorena
Video: pic.twitter.com/FHyfygnPPn
- Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) November 15, 2016
"I want to give my best and here in Panama that is no exception. A win here will give us more confidence for the rest of the qualifiers."
The 28-year-old stressed that in Osorio's plans the attackers are expected to defend and the defenders attack, adding that he isn't only judged on goals under the Colombian coach, who highlighted the way Hernandez battled against U.S. defenders who were much taller than him.
Both Osorio and Chicharito said the game against Panama would be a difficult one, with Hernandez suggesting that it could be more complicated than the match against the United States.
"The same will that we had in Columbus [to defeat the United States] we have here against Panama," said Hernandez.
The former Manchester United player stressed that the win against the United States didn't eradicate any "ghosts" of the 7-0 Copa America loss to Chile, adding that it is the press that tend to talk about such things.
"Here there are a lot of people that believe in the paranormal, they see a lot of ghosts," laughed the Bayer Leverkusen striker. "There aren't a lot of ghosts. You remind us of those things, but the truth is we are coming in [to Panama] after winning against the United States."
Hernandez also sent out a message criticizing the Liga MX's 10/8 rule, which allows up to 10 foreign-born players to feature in a matchday squad.
"When they don't trust [the] national product it'll be more difficult for the profe [Osorio]," he said. "We have to give opportunities to the youngsters.
Osorio vowed to attack Panama in Tuesday's game, suggesting it would be risky to sit back and hope to create chances on the counter.
Mexico is looking to make it six points from its first two games in the hexagonal phase of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.