Fourth final round participation
©IMAGO
The story of Raúl Jiménez is a special one: six years ago he fractured his skull and his life was in danger after a duel. Emergency surgery. But the Mexican returned to the football pitch – and could no longer contain the emotions after his first World Cup goal in the fourth final round.
The oldie celebrated his goal against South Africa with tears in his eyes. A goal to crown a comeback five years ago. He is now 35 years old, Jiménez played at home, in Portugal, Spain and especially in England. He is the center forward on the way to becoming his country’s record goalscorer. He became Olympic champion in 2012 and celebrated several more successes. Above all, Raúl Jiménez is a person who fought for his life.
It happened in November 2020. The striker, who was then playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, seriously injured his head in a duel with David Luiz from Arsenal FC. So hard that his life was at stake. Jiménez suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries. He had to have emergency surgery. Danger to life. Jiménez made his comeback in August 2021 and has since played with a headband that protects his scar thanks to padding on the right side.
Mexico’s Jiménez: Fourth World Cup appearance, first goal
In 2022, like in 2014 and 2018, he represented Mexico at the World Cup. He didn’t manage to score a goal. The time had come in the opening game of this World Cup against South Africa on June 11, 2026. With a header, Jiménez made it 2-0 against South Africa and the first three points for the World Cup co-hosts. As he cheered afterwards, the tears in his eyes were obvious. “Raúl Jiménez’s career was on the verge of ending in 2020 – as was his life,” “El País” once wrote about him. “It looked like his career would end after three World Cup appearances without scoring, but that fire drove him to keep fighting.”
In the Aztec Stadium, which has already seen so many poignant football moments, Jiménez shouted his joy in scoring. “I am very happy and excited to be able to live this dream and stand here,” he said after the game in front of over 80,000 spectators. According to Mexican media, Jiménez dedicated his goal to his father. He died in March at the age of 62. “I read an interview in which he said this should be his World Cup,” reported Mexico coach Javier Aguirre: “It was a perfect day for him.”