Every World Cup is full of great moments that mark not only someone's career, but their entire life. On the biggest stage, the biggest and most beautiful stories are written, childhood dreams become reality, and something happens that at one point, perhaps, was unimaginable.
And one such moment, a moment for all time, happened on the first day of the planetary festival, symbolically at the "Azteca" stadium - the place where Pele and Maradona were crowned, the field that symbolizes the World Cup. The most beautiful World Cup stories were written at "Azteca", and another page was added on the evening of June 11th.
The main character is a local player and Mexican warrior - Raul Jimenez. Six years ago, Jimenez suffered a serious head injury, he could have lost his life, but in the biggest and most important fight he won and returned to the field. He did not give up, the fight did not stop, and then on June 11, in front of his fans, he did something that all children dream of - he scored a goal for his country at the World Cup.
HEAD-ON COLLISION AND SERIOUS INJURY
It all happened six years ago. To be exact, on November 29, 2020, when Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers played in the Premier League. The Wolves were awarded a corner kick in the fifth minute, and after a cross, Raul Jimenez and Arsenal's then-center David Luiz collided heads.
David Luis got up and continued playing. Jimenez remained lying on the grass.
It was clear that the injury was horrific. Medical personnel immediately rushed onto the field. The Mexican lost consciousness, lay there for several minutes, doctors gave him oxygen on the spot, and then he was taken to the hospital. It was during the coronavirus pandemic, the game was played in front of empty stands, the atmosphere at the Emirates was eerie and disturbing.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Jimenez underwent emergency surgery. He fractured his skull, had a brain hemorrhage, and at that moment it was questionable whether he would survive. No one mentioned his career again. Fortunately, everything ended successfully.
A period of recovery followed. At first he trained lightly, then joined his teammates, but he trained without contact. Also, at first he was not allowed to head the ball, and as a precaution he was given a protective headband, which he still plays with today.
He returned to the field in August 2021 and played his first match against Leicester after a horrific injury.
"The surgeons told me what had happened and what risks I was exposed to. These are not things you want to hear. They told me it was a miracle I was alive. My bone had broken and there was bleeding on the brain. That's why the operation had to be done immediately. The doctors reacted in the right way. They supported me from the beginning. Although it took more time for the bone to heal," Raul said at the time.
He left Wolves in 2023, when he moved to Fulham. The story with the "wolves" does not end there.
A GOAL AT THE WORLD CUP, TEARS AND A LOOK TOWARDS THE SKY
And then came that July 11, 2026. About 80 thousand Mexicans arrived at "Azteca". The World Cup is starting, the eyes of the world public are focused on Mexico, and on the field the host is playing South Africa. After only five minutes a huge chance - Jimenez shoots from about 16 meters, but Williams saves. Sighs in the stands, the striker regrets the chance, but the game goes on.
Ninth minute - 1:0. Quinones scores, "Aztec" is on its feet. The home team is leading, the start of the World Cup could not have been better.
Mexico was in control, taking a step towards victory in the 49th minute, when Sitole was shown a red card. And then came the confirmation of triumph - a moment that will definitely become one of the most significant from this year's World Cup...
The scoreboard at the stadium shows that the game is in the 67th minute. Mexico is attacking, the ball is on the right side, Alvardo crosses, Jimenez is alone in the box. A header follows, the South African net is shaking.
A moment for all time, emotions exploded. Jimenez celebrated the goal in tears, with his hands raised to the sky. He dedicated the goal to his father, who had recently passed away. His teammates came to hug him, it was a moment that will be remembered.
"When the ball went in, the first thing I did was look towards the stands. Out of habit, I looked for my father... and at that moment I realized that he was not physically there to see me score a goal at the World Cup on home soil. This goal is entirely for him. It was an incredibly emotional moment, I simply couldn't hold back my tears. I've been waiting for this goal for four World Cups and to score it right here, in front of our people, is a miracle," said Jimenez.
Six years after a serious head injury, Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal in his fourth World Cup. The dream of a young man born 35 years ago in Hidalgo has come true - and Jimenez has come to this realization in a very, very difficult way.
Mexico and Jimenez face South Korea and the Czech Republic in the group stage of the World Cup. Mexico has reached the quarter-finals twice, both times on home soil - in 1970 and 1986. Javier Aguirre's team is dreaming of taking a step forward.
UNFINISHED WORK WITH VULVAS
A few days before the start of the World Cup, Jimenez changed clubs. He left Fulham and returned to a familiar place - Wolverhampton.
Wolves have been relegated from the Premier League, but they don't want to stay in the Championship for long.
And who could better help them in their fight for the elite than their Raul Jimenez?
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