How many Premier League players do you know of who get down on their knees and pray before kick-off? Just one. Javier Hernandez. The sight of the Mexican getting down on his knees in the centre-circle really is a spectacle, and is a gesture of "eternal thankfulness" to God for a career that very nearly never was. Five years ago, Hernandez nearly abandoned his dream of being a world-renowned footballer in favour of going back to college to study business, after a paltry one goal in two years at former club Chivas Guadalajara made him ask uncomfortable questions about his career choice. 'Chicharito' was all set to quit the sport until an emotional meeting with his family, which turned into a counselling session, persuaded him to stick at it, and he went on to play in the 2011 Champions League final for Manchester United. It is stories such as these that make Hernandez such a likable figure and his passion and determination to battle to the very top and not give up on your dreams is a message we'd all do well to learn.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
