Santiago Gimenez is a crucial player for Mexico as they prepare for the upcoming men’s FIFA World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June and July. The AC Milan striker will share the scoring responsibilities with Fulham‘s Raúl Jiménez, as El Tri strive to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986, the last time Mexico hosted the tournament.
However, the 24-year-old, who made a $38 million move from Dutch club Feyenoord to Milan in January 2025, is currently focused on his recovery from ankle surgery, which he underwent last month.
As the tournament approaches, ESPN visited Milan to discuss Gimenez’s rehabilitation process, the pressures and expectations surrounding the World Cup, and his experience overcoming the intense Mexico-U.S. soccer rivalry alongside U.S. men’s national team captain and Milan teammate Christian Pulisic.
Editor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
ESPN: How is your ankle injury recovery progressing, Santi?
Gimenez: It’s been challenging; there were weeks when I played through pain. The injury worsened, and I knew I had to take a break. However, I’m focusing on the present and future, feeling positive about my recovery, and I’m hopeful to be back on the field in a few weeks.
Did the injury start bothering you during the Gold Cup last summer?
Yes, it’s been an issue for a while. Initially, it was just minor discomfort, which is something we often play through. It was a mistake to ignore it; I had been feeling it before the Gold Cup. It progressively got worse, and I ultimately had to stop.
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Did you reach a point where surgery was necessary to ensure you’d be fit for the World Cup?
Absolutely. Last May, it was hard to believe I had this opportunity with Milan and the World Cup. However, the pain became persistent, and I had to decide whether to undergo surgery. Given the crucial season with Milan and the World Cup ahead, it was a tough choice. Reflecting on it now, just one month post-surgery, I feel it was the right decision, and I’m excited to come back even stronger.
You and Christian Pulisic are close friends at Milan. Has he supported you through this injury, or is the U.S.-Mexico rivalry too intense?
In the dressing room, there’s always banter about our rivalry. We joke about which country is better, with me backing Mexico and Pulisic supporting the U.S. Although we have that friendly competition, we genuinely care for each other. If we were to face each other on the field for our countries, we’d be rivals, but off the pitch, we’re good friends. We bond over shared interests like the NFL, and I sometimes visit his place for barbecues while watching games.
How do you evaluate the chances of Mexico and the United States in the World Cup?
Competing in a World Cup hosted in your own country is incredible, especially with our family and supporters there. We need to be strong, and I believe we will be. The U.S. has a strong team, likely capable of reaching the quarterfinals. I would relish the opportunity to face them, as our rivalry brings excitement and passion.
Winning the Gold Cup last year was exceptional, especially given our long-standing rivalry, and our fans take great pride in beating the U.S. We were thrilled with that victory.
Is there pressure on Mexico to reach the quarterfinals, given that they have only done so in 1970 and 1986?
The goal of reaching el quinto partido is real, and while playing at home might energize us, every match will be challenging. Nevertheless, I believe the support from the fans in Mexico will propel us, and we are committed to putting in the hard work to achieve that goal.
Our coach, Javier Aguirre, alongside our assistant coach, Rafa Marquez, are both legends in Mexico, which inspires us. We view our national team as a family, and we’re determined to bring that spirit to the World Cup.
How significant is it for Mexico to play knockout games in Azteca Stadium? Could you potentially face England in the round of 16; do you think you can handle such a challenge?
The atmosphere at Azteca is unparalleled. To see 90,000 fans wearing green and cheering is overwhelming and provides a tremendous boost for us. Facing England would indeed be challenging, but I’ve heard from teammates that no one wants to face Mexico, especially not in our home ground.
I understand England is a formidable team, but they also recognize our strength when we play at home.
As you recover from your injury with the World Cup approaching, what does your ideal 2026 look like?
My primary goal is to fully recover from my ankle injury. Once I achieve that, I believe everything else will fall into place. I’m focused on being ready for the World Cup.