MOSCOW -- Javier Hernandez says the now-infamous party Mexico players held ahead of the World Cup was his birthday bash, but defended the integrity of the squad and said he wouldn't do it over again.
El Tri's players partied late in to the night after the June 2 friendly victory over Scotland in Mexico City, and controversy was sparked when a Mexican tabloid claimed "escorts" were present at the event -- a report Hernandez denied.
"It's a topic that I've wanted to opine and to talk about," the West Ham striker said in a Facebook Live stream on Sunday night. "There are a lot of things that are tiring. The truth is that it was a gathering to celebrate my [30th] birthday.
"They gave us the night off and the [following] day off and we left [for Copenhagen] the next day and that's what we did. They organized [the party] for me and I invited all the players to come.
"They all came apart from Jesus Corona, the goalkeeper, because he had a personal issue and he apologized to me and all the squad. We ate together and then afterwards a lot of people arrived and every player left at the time they wanted to.
"Another thing that makes me embarrassed and laugh and that I have to talk about now it comes to mind is that there were never escorts or anything similar... that shows a lack of respect for the people that were there."
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Hernandez's teammate Hector Herrera left camp last Wednesday, reportedly because of family issues caused by the tabloid story, and the topic of the party has been a major talking point in the lead-up to the World Cup, with various reports suggesting the Porto midfield wanted to leave camp due to it.
Hernandez, however, was keen to move on from the incident and said that while he wouldn't do it again if he had the chance, he still believes Mexico can do well in the World Cup.
"I've said in interviews that yes [we can win it] and I don't know if people will think that is bad, but I can visualize it, I can see it and feel it and it's not just lip service," Hernandez said. "I try to work towards it, I talk about it to my teammates and with a lot of people about it and yes, of course, I want to be world champion, we all want to be world champions.
"We've come to do that. We don't want any less, in our minds there isn't a limit."
Part of that positive mentality includes believes that a victory against world champion Germany in Moscow on Sunday is possible.
"Of course we can beat Germany, we are preparing to do that," said Hernandez, who pointed out that the last three friendlies aren't necessarily an indication of where El Tri is at heading towards the World Cup.
Hernandez also defended Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio's rotations by saying they are common in Europe and, amid speculation he could leave West Ham this summer, insisted there is no news about his club future.
Source: espn.co.uk