Kolkata: Mexico striker Raul Jimenez’s life was in danger after he suffered a horrific injury during the Premier League 2020 clash for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Arsenal. Jimenez suffered a skull fracture and brain injury six years ago. He lost his father earlier this year but had a dream World Cup outing.
Skull Fracture that almost ended his life
Raul, who plays for Wolves in EPL suffered horrific collision with Arsenal defender David Luiz. That injury left him unconscious on the pitch and in urgent need of medical treatment. In the minutes that followed, his team-mates, manager and family watched on, worrying whether he was still alive, with him receiving oxygen on the pitch.
Life vs Death – Road to Recovery
The recovery was slow. He was not allowed to train with other players for six months and he did not play for Wolves again for eight months. The skull fracture and brain injury was so intense that it could have ended his life but after 8 months of battle with life and death, he returned for Wolves. The Mexican scored his first goal since the injury by grabbing the winner in a 1-0 victory at Southampton in September 2021.
Father’s Death and comeback as World Cup hero for Mexico
Grief struck his family when his Father Raul Jimenez Vega passed away in March just ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
He battled through everything and scored his first ever World Cup goal for Mexico in the opening match against South Africa, to give his nation a 2-0 win. He seemingly paid tribute to his late Father after scoring the goal. The 35 years old pumped his arms and pointed to the sky as green shirts crowded him to enjoy the moment. Jimenez then stopped shouting and closed his eyes, leaning his head back and welling up. After Mexico’s players had cleared away he pointedly took a moment, red-eyed, to once again look to the heavens.
Getting a brilliant cross from Roberto Alvarado when he was just a few feet away from the goal as he thudded a header past the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and into the back of the net. Jimenez broke down in tears and gestured his hands to the sky in what was a clear tribute to his late father.
This was Jimenez’s first World Cup goal in fourth World Cup appearance having part of Mexico side in 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions earlier. The script was written to be picture perfect as he scored it in front of home fans in Mexico City Stadium.
He had previously made six substitute appearances in World Cup finals – one in the 2014 tournament, two in 2018 and on three occasions in 2022, and was goalless in all editions. Overall, it was his 46th for his country in his 125th appearance, moving him joint second in Mexico’s list of goalscorers, behind only Javier Hernandez on 52.
Mexico outclassed South Africa in the opener in a game that was marred by second-half red cards. Two South African players – Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off before Mexico captain Cesar Montes was sent down the tunnel at the Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the first goal of the tournament after pouncing on a big error from South African goalkeeper Williams in the ninth minute before Jimenez’s strike sealed the deal.
