PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez |
| Date of Birth | 05/05/1991 (Age: 35) |
| Place of Birth | Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Height | 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in |
| Weight | 76 kg / 168 lb |
| Position | Striker / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #9 |
| Current Club | Fulham |
| Previous Clubs | América, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| International Caps | 128+ |
| International Goals | 49+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The Estadio Azteca erupted. June 11, 2026. Mexico and South Africa were locked in their World Cup opener on home soil, and Raúl Jiménez was about to make history.
Six years earlier, doctors had told him it was a miracle he had survived. A horrific collision against Arsenal had left him with a fractured skull, lying unconscious on the pitch. He had required a metal plate in his head and eight months of grueling rehabilitation. His career had hung by a thread.
Now, at 35 years old, in his first-ever World Cup start, the ball came to him. A cross from Roberto Alvarado. A powerful header. Past the goalkeeper. 2-0. His first World Cup goal. His 46th for Mexico.
He collapsed to his knees and wept. He raised his hands to the heavens—a tribute to his father, who had passed away just three months earlier. His teammates mobbed him. The Azteca sang his name.
This was his fourth World Cup. He had played in 2014, 2018, and 2022—never scoring, often as a substitute. His first World Cup start, his first World Cup goal, in front of 80,000 fans. “Aguanté, aguanté y aguanté,” he later told reporters—”I endured, I endured, and I endured.”
From the brink of death to the summit of his career, Raúl Jiménez had defied every expectation. The miracle man had finally conquered the world stage.
Origins
Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez was born on May 5, 1991, in Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo, Mexico. His football journey began in the youth ranks of Club América, where he rose through the system and made his professional debut in 2011.
He established himself as a prolific goalscorer for the Águilas, scoring 39 goals in 105 appearances, before making the move to Europe. In 2014, he joined Atlético Madrid, then moved to Benfica in 2015, where he won three Primeira Liga titles and the Taça de Portugal.
The European Forge
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2018-2023):
Jiménez’s move to Wolves in 2018 was the defining period of his career. He became a Premier League legend, scoring 57 goals and providing 24 assists in 166 appearances across all competitions. He was named Wolves’ Player of the Year in 2020 and became a hero to the Molineux faithful.
The Injury:
On November 29, 2020, a midair collision with Arsenal defender David Luiz left Jiménez with a fractured skull and severe brain trauma. He was unconscious on the pitch for several minutes and was rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to insert a metal plate into his head. Doctors later informed him that his survival was a “miracle.”
He missed eight months of football but returned to the pitch for Wolves in August 2021. From that point on, he has been required to wear a protective head guard for the remainder of his playing career.
Fulham (2023-Present):
Jiménez joined Fulham in 2023. In the 2024-25 season, he scored 12 Premier League goals as Fulham finished 11th. In the 2025-26 season, he made 36 Premier League appearances (27 starts), accumulated 2,192 minutes, scored 9 goals, and provided 3 assists. He also created 73 chances and took 210 shots.
He has had minor injury setbacks in the 2025-26 season, including a groin injury (October 2025), a hip injury (September–October 2025), and a knock that has sidelined him since May 2026.
The Anatomy of His Game
Jiménez is a striker defined by his clinical finishing, physical presence, and unwavering resilience.
In Possession:
He is a composed finisher with excellent aerial ability. At the 2026 World Cup, he scored 3 goals in 4 appearances, becoming Mexico’s second-highest all-time scorer with 47 international goals. He surpassed Jared Borgetti’s 46 goals during the tournament. His World Cup performances included 1 goal against South Africa, 1 against Ecuador, and 1 against England. He has 49 career international goals.
Out of Possession:
Jiménez is a hard-working forward who contributes to defensive phases, pressing defenders and holding up play to bring teammates into the attack.
Psychological Edge:
Jiménez’s mental strength is his defining characteristic. His journey from the brink of death to the pinnacle of international football is one of the most remarkable stories in modern sport. His tribute to his late father after his World Cup goal was a testament to his character. His former Wolves teammates have described him as “unbreakable” and “a warrior.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Shots | Shots on Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 36 (27/9) | 2,192 | 9 | 3 | 73 | 18 |
| FIFA World Cup | 4 (4/0) | 317 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 40 | 2,509 | 12 | 3 | 91 | 25 |
TABLE B: International Record (2026 World Cup)
| Stage | Opponent | Minutes | Goals | Shots | SoT | PK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | South Africa | 75 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Group Stage | South Korea | 79 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Round of 32 | Ecuador | 73 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Round of 16 | England | 90 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| TOTAL | — | 317 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 1 |
TABLE C: International Career
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Caps | 128+ |
| Goals | 49+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026 |
| World Cup Goals | 3 |
| Mexico All-Time Goalscorer Ranking | 2nd |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | América Debut | Began professional career |
| 2014 | Atlético Madrid Move | First European club |
| 2015 | Benfica Move | Won 3 league titles |
| 2018 | Wolves Transfer | Premier League move |
| 2020 | Life-Threatening Injury | Fractured skull vs Arsenal |
| 2021 | Return to Football | Protective head guard required |
| 2023 | Fulham Transfer | Joined London club |
| 2026 | First World Cup Goal | Scored against South Africa |
| 2026 | 47th International Goal | Surpassed Jared Borgetti |
What these figures reveal
is a player of extraordinary resilience and achievement. Jiménez has scored 49+ goals in 128+ appearances for Mexico, becoming the second-highest scorer in the nation’s history. He has played in four World Cups, scored his first goals in 2026, and overcome a career-threatening injury to continue performing at the highest level. At 35, he remains a key figure for both Fulham and Mexico.
The Present Tense
Raúl Jiménez is 35 years old and in the twilight of his career. He is a Fulham player, a Mexican international, and a World Cup history-maker.
The Fulham Story:
Jiménez has been a key player for Fulham since joining in 2023. In the 2025-26 Premier League season, he scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists in 36 appearances. He is under contract until 2027 and earns £100,000 per week. He is currently sidelined with a knock sustained in May 2026.
The World Cup Campaign:
Jiménez was named in Javier Aguirre’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He started all four of Mexico’s matches, accumulating 317 minutes of tournament football. He scored 3 goals in the tournament—against South Africa, Ecuador, and England—and became Mexico’s second-highest all-time scorer with 47 goals. His goal against England came from a penalty kick. Mexico reached the Round of 16.
International Record:
Jiménez has 128 caps and 49 goals for Mexico. He has played in four World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). He is Mexico’s second-highest all-time scorer, behind Javier “Chicharito” Hernández (52 goals).
The Emotional Journey:
Jiménez’s World Cup goal against South Africa was one of the most emotional moments of the tournament. He wept on the pitch, raising his hands to the heavens in tribute to his father, who had passed away just months earlier. His teammate Julián Quiñones said: “Being part of a team is our pride, and it’s wonderful he continues to add goals to his career.”
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Jiménez is defined by his journey from the brink of death to the world stage. Doctors called his survival a “miracle.” He has worn a protective head guard for every match since his return.
His tribute to his late father was a moment that resonated across Mexico and beyond. His father passed away in March 2026, just months before the World Cup.
His celebration was one of pure emotion—a testament to the resilience that has defined his career. “Aguanté, aguanté y aguanté,” he said—”I endured, I endured, and I endured.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Javier Aguirre, Mexico Head Coach:
Aguirre trusted Jiménez as his starting striker for the 2026 World Cup, starting him in all four matches.
Julián Quiñones, Mexico Teammate:
“We really congratulated him because he gives a lot to the team. Being part of a team is our pride, and it’s wonderful he continues to add goals to his career as a player in our national team.”
Raúl Jiménez:
“Aguanté, aguanté y aguanté” — “I endured, I endured, and I endured.”
Where Next?
Raúl Jiménez is 35 years old and entering the final stages of his career. He is under contract with Fulham until 2027. His World Cup performances have cemented his legacy as one of Mexico’s greatest-ever players.
For Mexico, his future is uncertain. The 2026 World Cup may have been his final major tournament. But his 49 goals, his second-place ranking among Mexico’s all-time scorers, and his emotional World Cup goals have secured his place in history.
From a fractured skull to a World Cup hero, Raúl Jiménez’s journey is a story of resilience, strength, and a refusal to be broken. The miracle man who defied death has finally conquered the world stage—and his story will be remembered for generations.
