With his goal to make it 2-0 against South Africa, Raúl Jiménez not only caused great celebration for World Cup hosts Mexico, but also scored his first goal at a World Cup. For the striker with the unusual headband, it was a goal with a special story.
Raúl Jiménez holds his head high, his gaze directed to the right. Then his left arm shoots out. The signal to Roberto Alvarado on the right wing is unmistakable: Here I am! I’m ready, I want the ball here!
A few moments later he evaded the South African defenders and nodded the ball in at the back post after a perfectly timed cross from his teammate. It is 2-0 for Mexico in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup in the Aztec Stadium – and at the same time the final score of an atmospheric and emotional opening game on many levels. Especially for Jiménez.
Why Jiménez shows up with a headband
The fact that the most experienced outfield player in the “El Tri” World Cup squad, with 129 appearances, is on the pitch that day and scores this redeeming goal is anything but a given. It wasn’t just the more than 80,000 spectators in the Aztec Stadium who noticed that Jiménez was wearing an unusual headband that secured a larger protective pad over his right ear.
More than five years ago, Jiménez, wearing a Wolverhampton Wanderers shirt, clashed with Arsenal’s David Luiz in the Premier League. That was in November 2020 – and Jiménez’s life suddenly hung by a thread. The tall attacker lost consciousness and had to undergo emergency surgery due to a fractured skull and brain injuries. But Jiménez recovered, celebrated his comeback in August 2021 and has been playing with the same headband that protects his scar ever since.
Raul Jiminez lies injured on the ground in the Wolverhampton jersey
Jiménez follows in the footsteps of Chicarito and Borgetti
The fact that he can play professional football at the highest level again is nothing short of a miracle. Jiménez has by no means lost his goal instinct. By the 57th minute of the opening game against South Africa, the veteran had 44 goals, making him the third-best goalscorer in Mexico’s international history behind Chicharito (52 goals) and Jared Borgetti (46). He is now 45 – although his most recent goal will definitely be remembered. No wonder Jiménez celebrated wildly after the goal, stretched both arms to the sky, shouted his joy and had tears in his eyes.
“I am very happy and excited to be able to live this dream and be able to stand here“, said the goalscorer after the game: “My thoughts have been on the game since this morning and I’ve been dying to be on the pitch.“Assist Alvarado joined in the celebration.”I’m really happy for Raul that he was able to score this goal. He had already told me at half-time that I should hit a cross there.“
Mexico makes a perfect start to the World Cup
Mexico also has Jiménez to thank for the hosts’ successful start to the World Cup. South Africa’s play was very limited, but the pressure on the players at such a career highlight as a World Cup opening game in their own country should not be underestimated. Jiménez and his teammates have mastered it and can go into the upcoming group games against South Korea (June 19, 3 a.m. CEST) and the Czech Republic (June 25, 3 a.m. CEST) with confidence.
Especially since Jiménez, whose return from FC Fulham to Wolverhampton Wanderers was only officially announced on Wednesday, enjoys the fullest trust of national coach Javier Aguirre and is repaying it impressively. He has already scored twelve goals in his 20 international matches under the current coach. He had so far been denied a World Cup goal; Jiménez has finally fulfilled this dream in his fourth finals. The man with the headband couldn’t even think of that in November 2020.