Jiménez crowns comeback from horrific injury with World Cup goal

Raúl Jiménez could no longer hold back his emotions on the field and with tears in his eye, the Mexican player celebrated a goal that crowned his football comeback from five years ago.

Now 35 years old, the Fulham striker has played in his home country, Portugal, Spain and England, and is currently on his way to becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer.

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His goal in Thursday’s 2-0 win over South Africa was the 46th for his country in his 125th appearance, moving him joint second in Mexico’s list of goalscorers, behind only Javier Hernandez on 52.

Above all, however, Jiménez is a man who has already fought for his life. In November 2020, he was knocked unconscious after a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz.

Jiménez, back then a Wolves player, had to be stretchered off and immediately taken to a hospital for severe head trauma. It was confirmed later that he had fractured his skull and he needed surgery soon after hospitalization, effectively ending his season.

In August 2021, he made his comeback and since then, he has been playing with a headband that protects his scar.

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Like in 2014 and 2018, he competed with Mexico at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A World Cup goal, however, only came in June 2026 – and on home soil.

“I’m very happy and thrilled to be living this dream and to be standing here,” he said after the match. According to Mexican media reports, Jiménez dedicated his goal to his father, who had died in March at the age of 62.

Team-mate Julian Quinones, who scored Mexico’s opening goal, said: “We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team. Being part of a team is our pride and it’s wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team.”