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Raul Jimenez finally has his star moment in a World Cup for Mexico.
The 35-year-old striker 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 win.
It was the first World Cup goal for Jiménez, who suffered a fractured skull while playing for Wolverhampton on 29 November 2020 and had to undergo life-saving surgery.
Within two weeks, Jiménez was back in training. He fully recovered several months later, but the injury forced him to wear protective headgear for the rest of his career.
Jiménez has suffered other injuries and dips in form in the years since, including a poor World Cup in 2022. He failed to score as Mexico failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1978.
His greatest moment for Mexico may have been a bicycle kick in a win against Panama in 2014 World Cup qualifying, which was honored as the CONCACAF goal of the year. He was a reserve player for El Tri during that tournament in Brazil.
“I read an interview where he said this was going to be his World Cup,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “I think he got off to a flying start. He had always been in someone else’s shadow, but today he is a starter for this team – and he really deserved it.”
In March, Jiménez lost his biggest supporter when his father, Raúl Jiménez Vega, died aged 62. Jiménez cried after scoringFulham Fulham on March 21 aBurnleyBurnley.
“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.”
Report from the Associated Press.
