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Raúl Jiménez finally has his stellar moment in a World Cup for Mexico.
The 35-year-old forward broke down in tears after scoring El Tri’s second goal against South Africa as Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory.
It was the first World Cup goal for Jiménez, who suffered a skull fracture while playing for Wolverhamptonn on November 29, 2020 and had to undergo life-saving surgery.
After two weeks, Jiménez returned to training. He made a full recovery several months later, but the injury forced him to wear a protective helmet for the rest of his career.
Jiménez has suffered other injuries and drops in form in the years since, including a poor 2022 World Cup. He failed to score and Mexico failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1978.
His biggest moment for Mexico may have been a bicycle kick in the victory against Panama in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which was honored as CONCACAF goal of the year. He was a substitute player for Tri during that tournament in Brazil.
“I read an interview where he said this has to be his World Cup,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “I think he got off to a good start. He’s always been in someone else’s shadow, but today he’s a starter for this team, and he’s really earned it.”
In March, Jiménez lost his biggest supporter when his father, Raúl Jiménez Vega, died at age 62. Jiménez cried after Fulham’s goal on March 21 at BurnleyBurnley.
“On top of that, he was dealing with a personal situation that may have given him extra motivation,” Aguirre said. “And he even scored a goal. It was a perfect day for him.”
Associated Press information.
