The Galaxy announced Friday that team captain Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his season.

The injury occurred in the 24th minute of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal against Real Salt Lake. Hernandez was taken off of the field on a stretcher after he went to the ground on a non-contact play.

Hernandez, 35, will undergo surgery to begin the rehabilitation process on a date to be determined.

With Hernandez’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, the former Mexico team star might have played his last game for the Galaxy, and the injury could even be career-ending. He is the third-highest-paid player in MLS this season with a guaranteed compensation of $7,443,750.

After a difficult 2020, he rebounded in 2021 and 2022 to score 35 combined goals. He was slowed at the start of this season with a hamstring injury and scored just one goal in 12 league and cup appearances. Overall he has scored 39 goals in 80 league and cup appearances since signing with the team prior to the 2020 season.

The charismatic forward has long been one of Mexico’s most popular players and is the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer, with 52 goals in 109 international appearances.

This is the latest blow in what has already been a frustrating season for the Galaxy. After 15 games, the five-time MLS Cup champions have the worst record in the league (3-9-3, 12 points).