Raul Jimenez has endured moments that would have broken lesser men. In November 2020, a catastrophic accidental collision on the football pitch fractured his skull and left him unconscious, with his teammates and family fearing for his life as medical staff administered oxygen on the pitch.
On Thursday evening, the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker stood before 80,000 roaring supporters at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, and headed his country into World Cup history.
Jimenez powered home Roberto Alvarado’s right-wing cross in the 67th minute to seal a 2-0 victory over South Africa, giving co-hosts Mexico a commanding opening to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The goal was his 46th in 125 international appearances, lifting him into joint second place on Mexico’s all-time scoring chart alongside several predecessors, behind only the legendary Javier Hernandez, who holds the record at 52 goals.
For a man of 35, it marked far more than a statistic.
As the ball hit the net, Jimenez leaped with unbridled celebration before raising his finger skyward in what appeared to be a tribute to his father, Raul Jimenez Vega, who passed away in March this year. Within moments, the striker was in tears, surrounded by his teammates. The stadium held the weight of every difficult mile his recovery had taken.
A Career Nearly EndedThe severity of what Jimenez suffered in 2020 cannot be understated. The collision with Arsenal defender David Luiz at the Emirates Stadium was not merely a serious injury, it was potentially fatal. His recovery stretched over months: he was barred from training alongside teammates for six months and did not return to competitive football for eight months in total. When he finally scored again, a winner at Southampton in September 2021, it felt as significant as any goal in the Premier League that season.
He subsequently moved to Fulham in 2023, spending three productive seasons at Craven Cottage before confirming his return to Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this week. Despite the years and the trauma, Jimenez has accumulated 68 Premier League goals in 233 appearances, a record that speaks to extraordinary resilience. He still wears a reinforced headband in every match as a precautionary measure.
A Dream Come TrueEdu Rubio, who served as Wolves’ assistant manager during the 2022-23 season and now holds the role of assistant head coach at MLS club Sporting Kansas City, told BBC Sport that the goal would have carried enormous personal meaning for Jimenez.
“It would’ve meant the world to him,” Rubio said. “He is very proud of playing for his country and loves his country. He wears the number nine, his country is a hosting nation for this World Cup, so all the elements were there. It’s the first game, a large crowd, so this would be a dream come true for him and his family.”
Rubio, who has also worked as assistant manager at Crystal Palace and West Ham United, reflected on the doubts that surrounded Jimenez’s capacity to return to form following the head injury.
“After his head injury it took time to get back,” he said. “There were not just medical concerns, but also whether he would be the same clinical finisher. His application is tremendous. He is a very family-oriented person. He is a big player but never acts like one, and he is very humble.”
Rubio was unequivocal about what kind of person, not just player, Jimenez is. “Everyone at Wolves loved him. The whole club was invested in him getting back. It was emotional, not only because of his career, but because he is such a loving character.”
First Start, Immediate ImpactRemarkably, despite representing Mexico across three previous World Cups, making six substitute appearances in 2014, 2018 and 2022, Thursday marked Jimenez’s first start at a World Cup finals. He came close to scoring within the first four minutes, forcing a superb save from South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from a powerful half-volley, before converting decisively after the hour mark.
Julian Quinones had opened the scoring for Mexico in the ninth minute, providing the first goal of the entire 2026 tournament.
Reflecting on Jimenez’s moment, former England defender Gary Neville, who was commentating for ITV, described it as likely the greatest moment of the striker’s professional life. Former England striker Ian Wright observed that the emotion on Jimenez’s face as he ran from goal told its own story, the realisation of something long-fought arriving all at once.
Road to the Knockout RoundsJimenez’s journey from a near-fatal injury to a World Cup goal in his homeland is, by any measure, one of the defining personal stories of the 2026 tournament. With Mexico now well-placed to advance into the knockout stages, the Wolves striker will have further opportunity to add to his international tally before returning to the West Midlands.
Rubio, who said he never doubted his former player’s ability to return, summarised Jimenez’s character simply: “He is a fighter.”
Source:
BBC
