MEXICO CITY (AP) 鈥� Rau虂l Jime虂nez finally has his star moment in a World Cup for Mexico.
The 35-year-old striker burst into tears after against South Africa as Mexico opened with
It was the first World Cup goal for Jime虂nez, who suffered a skull fracture while playing for Wolverhampton on Nov. 29, 2020 and had to undergo lifesaving surgery.
Within two weeks, Jime虂nez was back at training. He fully recovered several months later, but the injury forced him to wear protective headgear for the rest of his career.
Jime虂nez has suffered other injuries and dips in form in the years since, including a poor 2022 World Cup. He failed to score as Mexico failed to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 1978.
His biggest moment for Mexico may have been a bicycle kick in a victory against Panama in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, which was honored as the CONCACAF goal of the year. He was a reserve player for El Tri during that tournament in Brazil.
鈥淚 read an interview where he said this has to be his World Cup,鈥� Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. 鈥淚 think he got off to a flying start. He had always been in someone else鈥檚 shadow, but today he is a starter for this team 鈥� and he has truly earned it.鈥�
In March, Jime虂nez lost his biggest supporter when his father, Rau虂l Jime虂nez Vega, died at 62. on March 21 against Burnley.
鈥淥n top of that, he was dealing with a personal situation that may have given him extra motivation,鈥� Aguirre said. 鈥淎nd he even scored a goal. It was a perfect day for him.鈥�
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