MEXICO CITY — In a shining moment for Raúl Jiménez, the striker finally made his mark in the FIFA World Cup while representing Mexico. Following the match, his coach Javier Aguirre praised the occasion as a “perfect day” for the 35-year-old forward.
Jiménez was overcome with emotion as he scored Mexico’s second goal in their opening match against South Africa, leading the co-hosts to a 2-0 victory in Group A.
“I read an interview where he mentioned that this has to be his World Cup,” Aguirre stated after the match. “He started strong today. He’s often been overshadowed, but now he is a key player for this team – and he has truly earned his place.”
This was Jiménez’s first World Cup goal, following a serious skull fracture he sustained while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers on November 29, 2020, which necessitated lifesaving surgery.
He returned to training within two weeks and fully recuperated several months later, though the incident required him to wear protective headgear for the remainder of his career.
Over the years, Jiménez has faced various injuries and challenges, including a disappointing performance in the 2022 World Cup where he failed to score, contributing to Mexico’s exit from the tournament without reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since 1978.
One of his most memorable moments came during World Cup qualifying in 2014 when he scored a stunning bicycle kick against Panama, earning accolades as the Concacaf goal of the year. During that World Cup held in Brazil, he was a reserve player for El Tri.
Earlier this year, Jiménez lost his father, Raúl Jiménez Vega, at the age of 62, marking a challenging personal loss. He teared up while scoring for Fulham against Burnley on March 21.
“On top of that, he was navigating a personal situation that likely fueled his motivation,” Aguirre remarked on Thursday. “And he even scored a goal. It was a truly perfect day for him.”