In the opening fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, Mexico faced South Africa. In the 67th minute, 35-year-old Raúl Jiménez headed home the ball and scored his first goal at the World Cup.
On 29 November 2020, Raúl Jiménez sustained a serious head injury while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Arsenal in a Premier League match. He lost consciousness and was nearly killed. It took him eight months to recover from a skull fracture and return to action in the Premier League. During his recovery, he was not allowed to train alongside his teammates for six months.
In today’s opening game of the 2026 World Cup, the 35-year-old player scored a header for his homeland Mexico.
In an earlier interview with the BBC when talking about his injury, Jiménez said: “I was fully confident and never had second thoughts. I knew I would definitely make a comeback.”
After scoring the goal, Raúl Jiménez pointed to the sky and burst into tears. He dedicated this meaningful goal to his father, who passed away three months ago.
