Mexicans before 100th competitive game
©IMAGO
Santiago Gimenez missed twelve games in the autumn due to injury and has only been back on the pitch for Feyenoord Rotterdam since the end of November. The 23-year-old has now vehemently denied recent transfer rumors about the second most valuable professional in the Dutch Eredivisie and most valuable Mexican – quotes taken out of context had fueled the speculation, said Gimenez, but there was no truth to them.
The 32-time national player has an impressive record of 73 scorers in 99 competitive games for Feyenoord in two years; his contract is dated until 2027. After his return, he had scored four goals in three games since November 30th. He is currently in fourth place in the league with the reigning cup winners and could play his 100th game for Feyenoord on Sunday (2:30 p.m.) in the top duel with champions and league leaders PSV Eindhoven. Ironically, in the run-up to the duel, an interview by Gimenez’s father made the rounds, who was quoted in the newspaper “Record” as follows: “The plan is for him to leave Feyenoord.”
“The way he returned from his injury has sent the market into turmoil again. I think that a few clubs already had him on their list, but that gives an additional boost,” the senior is said to have said. After two and a half years, his son is ready for the next step, and Feyenoord is open to discussions if there is a lucrative offer. Statements that caused discussion around the club and among the supporters – and which Gimenez himself now tried to recapture.
“If you watch the whole interview, you know he didn’t mean it,” the ESPN pro explained, continuing, “You took it out of context. He says that I am very happy at Feyenoord. But also that there are always interesting clubs. I don’t know who did this, but they took those words out of context.”
Contrary to the reports following the interview, the situation is rather like this: “The plan is to stay here. I still have a contract here. After that, anything can happen. I don’t know, I can’t predict the future. I’m focused on the present and what will happen this Sunday against PSV.”