Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has revealed he is paying off a multi-million dollar debt to his ex-wife following their divorce. The Mexican forward, known as Chicharito, said he is still covering the cost of a 'stratospherically wealthy' lifestyle after splitting from Sarah Kohan in 2020.
The 38-year-old, who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham United, now plays in the United States for Atletico Dallas. He spoke about the financial burden during an appearance on the show La Mesa Caliente.
Financial burden and child support
"Ever since my divorce, I've had a huge debt to pay off every year, a debt that no one sees," Chicharito said. "My children will never lack anything, they've never lacked anything at all, but I trusted them in a way that allowed them to take advantage of a very painful situation."
US website TMZ Sports reported that Kohan demanded £73,000 a month for 'child and spousal support'. Hernandez also opened up about the emotional impact of being apart from his children.
Emotional toll and criticism
"My children aren't with me, I can't see them 24/7. I talk to them on the phone, and if I'm working, sometimes I can't even see them on the call," Hernandez added, saying he felt "a lot of anger, a lot of arrogance, a lot of pain" during the separation. He attributed some of his behaviour to being away from his children and the changes in his personal life after the divorce.
The former United star stressed that his obligations to his children remain despite the change in parental income after retiring as a footballer. The video, shared on TikTok, drew criticism from commenters. One user said: "Poor Chicharito, he's out of touch with reality. Why should people care about his divorce? And his ex-wife should be given the right to respond."
Another commented: "Child support isn't set as a fixed amount, it's set as a percentage and if the figure is high, it's because his income or assets are large. But if he calls his responsibility as a father a 'debt', then it's clear why it bothers him."
Hernandez previously told US website The Ringer: "I wasn't the best partner I needed to be, I wasn't the greatest dad that I wanted to be. I wasn't a great friend. I wasn't the great human being I wanted to be."
