JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Veteran Mexico forward Guillermo Franco isn’t discouraged about possibly losing his starting place in the World Cup to 22-year-old Javier Hernandez.

In fact, Franco was the first teammate to congratulate Hernandez when he scored the first goal in the 2-0 victory against France on Thursday. After the match, Franco also gave Hernandez a hug.

“We congratulated each other, because we made a deal to have a great game, play correctly, and we talked beforehand that against South Africa we didn’t play at our best,” Franco said. “But this time we played well. ‘El Chicharito’ is the present and the future of this team.”

Hernandez is nicknamed ‘Chicharito’, which means little green pea and refers to his father, who was known as ‘Chicharo’, or green pea, when he played for Mexico in the 1980s.

Hernandez came on as a substitute Thursday and against South Africa in the opening match, which ended in a 1-1 draw June 11. Franco has played in five World Cup games, including in the 2006 tournament, without scoring a goal.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, however, prefers the 33-year-old Franco to other forwards in the team because he works hard defensively as well.

“Javier asks me to make sacrifices and help (Gerardo) Torrado and (Rafael) Marquez to recover the ball in midfield,” Franco said.

But Franco knows it will be difficult to remain as a starter after the impact of Hernandez, who will join Manchester United after the tournament.

Aguirre’s plans were still unclear and Franco said he’s ready to face Uruguay if needed Tuesday in Rustenburg.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Marquez, meanwhile, would tie the record of 11 World Cup appearances by a Mexico player if they take part in Tuesday’s match. Former goalkeeper Antonio Carvajal, who made his first World Cup appearance in 1950 and the last in 1966, holds the record.