In 2018, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano thrilled us all with that historic goal against Germany in Russia. It seemed like the beginning of a fairy tale for the Mexican forward in the elite of world soccer. However, the years have passed, and the story has taken a dramatic turn.
Today, the Pachuca youth product has just joined the LA Galaxy on loan, in an attempt to salvage a career that has been severely tarnished by indiscipline and constant clashes with his coaches. Even his own brother, Bryan Lozano, has gone so far as to publicly state that the player has displayed “rude and arrogant” behavior that has destroyed his reputation in the locker room.
Below, we review the five major controversies that have marked “Chucky’s” decline:
1. Ego-Driven Outbursts in Naples (2021)
Lozano’s time in Serie A had its brilliant moments, but also its dark chapters. Coach Gennaro Gattuso even kicked him out of a training session, believing he wasn’t putting in enough effort. The last straw came in late 2021, when, in an interview with ESPN, the Mexican openly stated that his desire was to “go to a bigger and more competitive club.” This infuriated Napoli’s passionate fans, forcing “Chucky” to post a statement on Instagram in an attempt to put out the fire.
2. Rebellion in the Netherlands (2023–2024)
Upon his return to the place where he was happiest—PSV Eindhoven—things didn’t end entirely well either. During his second stint with the Dutch club, the Mexican player was involved in public clashes with head coach Peter Bosz. The reason was a direct disagreement with the hierarchy established by the coaching staff regarding who would take penalty kicks—a challenge to authority that caused deep friction within the team.
3. War of Words with Jaime Lozano
His strong personality has also been a headache for the Mexican national team’s call-ups. When the then-national team head coach, Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano, decided to leave him off the roster for the 2024 Copa América, “Chucky” exploded. He publicly expressed his deep frustration, arguing that he was being disrespected after having won championships in major leagues such as Italy and the Netherlands.
4. The Scandal and Being Sidelined at San Diego FC (2025)
Lozano arrived as the founding star of the new MLS franchise, but the adventure ended in a complete breakdown. On October 4, 2025, after being substituted at halftime in a match against the Houston Dynamo, he got into a heated verbal altercation with head coach Mikey Varas. The disciplinary incident was so serious that San Diego FC’s management suspended him indefinitely from the team. He spent nearly a year sidelined and out of action, which caused his market value to plummet before he was loaned to the LA Galaxy.
5. The Snub to “El Vasco” and the Farewell to the 2026 World Cup
The most serious consequence of his inactivity in San Diego was missing out on the World Cup. Suspended and out of competitive form, Javier “El Vasco” Aguirre threw him a lifeline: he specifically asked him to go play for the Xolos de Tijuana to regain his form and be considered for the 2026 World Cup. Lozano flatly refused the national team coach’s request. Aguirre did not forgive the snub and permanently removed his name from the World Cup roster.
Hirving Lozano’s talent with the ball at his feet has never been in doubt, but his career offers a hard lesson in the world of sports: technical skill isn’t always enough when character and discipline don’t measure up to the circumstances. Today, in Los Angeles, he’ll seek one last chance to redeem his career.
