Raúl Jiménez: Back on Top After a Career-Threatening Injury
Not every footballer comes back stronger after a brutal injury, but Raúl Jiménez isn’t your typical player. He’s gone from fighting for recovery after a skull fracture to once again becoming Fulham's main man up front. That journey wasn’t just about getting fit — it was about learning how to adapt on and off the pitch, from his home in Tepeji del Río all the way to London’s roaring stadiums.
Jiménez’s accident nearly put an end to his career, but he’s now clear: he’s playing at his highest level since that dark time. The Fulham striker has racked up 19 goals during his stint so far with the Cottagers, a stat that not only puts him among the club's top contributors this season but also cements his place as the Premier League’s highest-scoring Mexican ever. It’s a milestone for both him and Mexican football fans who have followed his journey from Liga MX to Europe’s top flight.
But it hasn’t all been goals and headlines. The road back was paved with doubt and tough moments, especially after an injury that shook the football world. Jiménez credits his resilience—learning to move forward, adjust his style, and keep pushing. “Resilience and adaptation,” he’s said, “are what got me here.” That attitude didn’t just bring him back to Fulham’s frontline; it’s made him a role model for teammates and fans alike.
Looking Ahead: Fulham, Leadership, and World Cup Ambitions
Settled now into his second season with Fulham, Jiménez isn’t just stopping at personal bests. With 19 goals and counting, he’s helped drive Fulham into the Premier League’s top eight—a major achievement for a team often seen as underdogs. Unsurprisingly, he’s dropped hints about wanting to keep wearing Fulham’s white shirt longer, opening up about his hopes for a contract extension. For the club and coach, having someone with his experience and killer instinct up front is a no-brainer.
Off the club stage, Jiménez’s momentum keeps going. He’s become a leader within the Mexican national squad, guiding a younger crop of talent. Winning the Concacaf Nations League wasn’t just another trophy — Jiménez scored four goals in two matches, leading from the front and showing younger teammates what it means to deliver when the stakes are highest. His role now isn’t just putting the ball in the net, but sharing what he’s learned from years in tough European leagues and from confronting his own vulnerabilities.
And then there’s the 2026 World Cup. By then, Jiménez will be 35, an age where most strikers consider winding down. But he’s got other ideas. With the World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the US, and Canada, it’s set to be a watershed moment for North American football. Jiménez is eyeing a crucial role — not just chasing minutes on the pitch, but also being the locker room leader who guides El Tri’s next wave of stars through pressure and expectation. He remembers the cultural shock of moving from Mexico to England and wants to pass on those hard-earned lessons to younger players facing their own big leaps.
Jiménez’s story is still unfolding, but if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that he’ll keep smashing through limits, both for Fulham and for his beloved Mexico.