Jermaine Jones says Mexico star Chicharito whines to the ref too much

Jermaine Jones says Mexico star Chicharito whines to the ref too much

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:33 p.m. ET

U.S. national team midfielder Jermaine Jones revealed he once pulled Mexico star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez aside during a match and told him to stop whining to referees.

"... He's always talking, like, 'Referee here! Referee here!' and I told him ... 'My small boy, come here. We have to talk.' And I told him, 'Stop always explaining.' But I think after the game was everything cool."

The German-born American shared the story in an interview with Univision ahead of Friday's pivotal World Cup qualifying clash between the U.S. and Mexico (7 p.m. ET on FS1). Jones also touched on Chicharito's knack for poaching goals and toeing the line in their clashes.

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"I think anyone who knows Chicharito knows he's playing always on the line," the 35-year-old said. "And he's always, I'm not saying a dirty player, but he's always on that edge to offside."

Usually, it's not wise to give your opponent any kind of fodder or bulletin-board material ahead of a rivalry match, but Jones couldn't help himself. The last time the two rivals met, Chicharito got on the board in the 10th minute of the CONCACAF Cup. Odds are the Mexican will be looking to repeat the feat on Friday.

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