"Chicharomania" has arrived in San Diego.

The Mexican star who plays for Manchester United, Javier Hernández, politely signed every item fans put before him.

"El Chicharito," as he's affectionately called, and the rest of Mexico's national team descended Monday afternoon on the soccer field of the San Diego Jewish Academy, where they held their first practice to prepare for games in California on Saturday and next Tuesday.

The place is located on a hill overlooking Highway 56, in Carmel Valley, and to get there fans had to negotiate several strict security checkpoints.

Regardless, around 50 people managed to station themselves on the gate next to the soccer field to wait for El Chicharito.

"Chicharito…Chicharito… come here! We want to meet you!," the fans yelled to Hernández, who has become the most popular Mexican soccer player.

After talking to the news media, he strolled over to the blue-colored gate and began autographing shirts, scarves, sweatshirts and pieces of paper.

Barely 21 years old, Hernández seems to have his feet planted firmly on the ground and has been able to handle the fame that comes with scoring 15 goals playing for Manchester United in various European tournaments.

"You have to take it easy. We don't have one star nor do I consider myself better than others," he said after the Mexican team held a light practice.

On Saturday, Mexico's team squares off against Paraguay in Oakland and next Tuesday El Tri plays against Venezuela at Qualcomm Stadium.

El Chicharito is a model of humbleness for a player of his caliber.

"I don't consider myself a starter on the national team. I have to earn that spot and the coach has to decide if I deserve to play," said forward, who plays for one of the best teams in the world.

El Chicharito has become so popular that a news team from the Manchester United Television network has traveled to San Diego to cover his participation on Mexico's national team.

El Tri's coach, José Manuel de la Torre, takes all of this attention in stride.

"There are no stars here," he stressed. "We're a team."

Maybe so, but don't try telling that to the fans who turned out to get even a glimpse of their beloved "Chicharito."

Abraham.nudelstejer@sandiegored.com