Raúl Jiménez

Mexican footballer.

Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez currently plays as a forward for Premier League club Fulham, having joined them in 2023. Prior to this, Jiménez had a successful stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he became a fan favorite and one of the club's most prolific strikers. He joined Wolves initially on loan in 2018 before making the move permanent in 2019. During his time at Wolves, Jiménez scored 57 goals in 166 appearances across all competitions, helping the club establish itself as a competitive force in the Premier League and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League in 2020. His performances at Wolves earned him widespread recognition as one of the Premier League's top strikers.Before his time in England, Jiménez played for Benfica in Portugal from 2015 to 2018, where he won two consecutive league titles and scored 31 goals in 120 appearances.

His European journey began with a brief spell at Atlético Madrid in the 2014-15 season, where he made 28 appearances but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. Jiménez's professional career began in his native Mexico with Club América, where he rose through the youth ranks to become a key player for the first team. He made his professional debut in October 2011 and went on to win the Clausura tournament with América in 2013, establishing himself as one of Mexico's most promising young strikers. Throughout his career, Jiménez has demonstrated his ability to adapt to different leagues and playing styles, consistently improving his game and becoming a more complete forward.

Early life & youth football

Raúl Jiménez was born on May 5, 1991, in Tepeji del Río de Ocampo, Hidalgo, Mexico. He grew up in a family with a strong footballing background, with his father having played professionally in Mexico. From a young age, Jiménez showed a natural talent for the sport and joined Club América's youth system at the age of nine in 2001. He progressed through the various age groups, consistently impressing coaches with his technical ability, physical presence, and goal-scoring instincts.During his time in América's youth academy, Jiménez honed his skills and developed the foundations of his playing style. He was known for his aerial ability, strength, and clinical finishing, traits that would later define his professional career.

Jiménez's performances in the youth ranks caught the attention of the club's senior management, and he began training with the first team while still a teenager. His hard work and dedication paid off when he made his professional debut for Club América on October 9, 2011, against Monarcas Morelia at the age of 20. This marked the beginning of his senior career, and he quickly established himself as a regular in the first team, helping América win the Clausura tournament in 2013 and finishing as the team's second-highest goalscorer that season.

Professional career

Raúl Jiménez's international career with Mexico has been extensive and impactful, spanning over a decade and including appearances in multiple major tournaments. His journey with the national team began at the youth level, culminating in a significant achievement at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he was part of the Mexico under-23 squad that won the gold medal. This Olympic success set the stage for his senior international career.Jiménez made his debut for the senior Mexico national team on January 30, 2013, in a friendly match against Denmark.

His first international goal came later that year, on July 11, 2013, in a match against Canada during the CONCACAF Gold Cup. This early success in his international career hinted at the important role he would play for El Tri in the years to come.The striker's first major tournament with the senior team was the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Although Mexico was eliminated in the round of 16, Jiménez gained valuable experience, making two appearances as a substitute in the group stage matches against Croatia and the Netherlands.

In 2015, Jiménez participated in the Copa América held in Chile. While Mexico was eliminated in the group stage, the tournament provided him with more international experience against top-level competition. The following year, he was part of the Mexican squad for the Copa América Centenario in 2016, where Mexico reached the quarter-finals.The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia saw Jiménez take on a more prominent role within the team.

He appeared in all four of Mexico's matches, including starts against Sweden in the group stage and Brazil in the round of 16. Although Mexico was eliminated by Brazil, Jiménez's performances were well-received and further cemented his place as a key player for the national team.One of the highlights of Jiménez's international career came in 2019 when he was part of the Mexican squad that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He played a crucial role in the tournament, scoring in the semi-final against Haiti and in the final against the United States, helping Mexico secure their eighth Gold Cup title.

His performances in this tournament showcased his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and further endeared him to Mexican fans.Jiménez has also represented Mexico in the FIFA Confederations Cup, participating in both the 2013 and 2017 editions of the tournament. These appearances provided him with additional experience in international competitions and the opportunity to face top-tier national teams from around the world.As of 2023, Jiménez has earned over 100 caps for Mexico, a significant milestone that places him among the most experienced players in the national team's history.

He has scored 30 goals for his country, making him one of Mexico's top scorers of all time. This goal tally includes important strikes in World Cup qualifiers, friendly matches, and major tournaments. With América, Jiménez made a brief appearance in the Liga MX, playing just 4 matches and scoring 2 goals in 244 minutes of play. His goal-scoring rate was impressive, with 2.

7 goals per 90 minutes. He also provided 3 assists during this short stint.The majority of the 2014/15 season was spent with Atlético Madrid in La Liga. Jiménez made 21 appearances for Atlético, but only 4 of these were starts.

He played a total of 598 minutes, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists. His playing time was limited, averaging just 28 minutes per appearance. Atlético finished 3rd in La Liga that season.In addition to his league appearances, Jiménez also featured in cup competitions for Atlético Madrid.

He played in 4 Copa del Rey matches and 3 Champions League games, bringing his total appearances for the club to 28 across all competitions.Despite the limited playing time, this season was crucial for Jiménez's development, as it marked his first experience in one of Europe's top leagues.For the 2015/16 season, Jiménez moved to Benfica in Portugal's Primeira Liga. This move proved to be more successful in terms of playing time and goal-scoring.

In the league, Jiménez made 28 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 1 assist in 919 minutes of play. He averaged 32.8 minutes per appearance, indicating a mix of starts and substitute appearances. His goal-scoring rate improved to 0.

49 goals per 90 minutes.Jiménez also featured in other competitions for Benfica. He played in 5 Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) matches, scoring 4 goals. In the Champions League, he made 6 appearances, scoring 1 goal.

He also played in 2 Taça da Liga (League Cup) matches and 1 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (Super Cup) game.In total, across all competitions, Jiménez made 42 appearances for Benfica in the 2015/16 season, scoring 12 goals. This was a significant improvement from his previous season at Atlético Madrid.Benfica had a successful season, winning the Primeira Liga title.

This marked Jiménez's first major trophy in European football.Jiménez's second season with Benfica saw him continue to contribute effectively, albeit with slightly less playing time in the league.In the Primeira Liga, he made 24 appearances, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists in 783 minutes of play. His goal-scoring rate improved further to 0.

80 goals per 90 minutes, showing increased efficiency when on the pitch.In cup competitions, Jiménez continued to perform well. He scored 3 goals in 4 Taça de Portugal matches and 1 goal in 2 Taça da Liga appearances. In the Champions League, he made 8 appearances, scoring 1 goal.

Across all competitions for the 2016/17 season, Jiménez made 40 appearances for Benfica, scoring 12 goals. This consistency in his goal-scoring output (matching his total from the previous season) demonstrated his reliability as a striker.Benfica had another successful season, retaining their Primeira Liga title. They also won the Taça de Portugal and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, completing a domestic treble.

Jiménez played a part in all of these successes, further establishing himself in European football. The 2017/18 season was Jiménez's final season with Benfica in Portugal's Primeira Liga before his move to England. It was a successful campaign both for him personally and for the club.In the league, Jiménez made 33 appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists.

He played a total of 1,367 minutes, averaging 41 minutes per appearance. This suggests he was used as both a starter and a substitute throughout the season.In cup competitions, Jiménez continued to contribute. He scored 5 goals in 5 Taça de Portugal matches and 1 goal in 2 Taça da Liga games.

In the Champions League, he made 8 appearances but didn't score.Across all competitions for the 2017/18 season, Jiménez made 44 appearances for Benfica, scoring 8 goals and providing 6 assists. While his goal tally was lower than in previous seasons, he still played a significant role in the team's success.Benfica had another strong season, winning the Primeira Liga title for the third consecutive year.

They finished with 81 points from 34 matches, winning 25, drawing 6, and losing only 3. Jiménez's contributions helped the team secure this title, cementing his status as a key player for the Portuguese giants.This season marked a significant change in Jiménez's career as he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, initially on loan.Jiménez adapted quickly to English football, becoming a crucial player for Wolves.

In the Premier League, he made 38 appearances (all starts), scoring 13 goals and providing 7 assists in 3,124 minutes of play. His goal-scoring rate was impressive at 0.37 goals per 90 minutes.In cup competitions, Jiménez continued to shine.

He scored 4 goals in 6 FA Cup matches, helping Wolves reach the semi-finals. He also made 2 appearances in the EFL Cup.Across all competitions for the 2018/19 season, Jiménez made 44 appearances for Wolves, scoring 17 goals and providing 8 assists. This was his most productive season to date, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level of English football.

Wolves had an excellent season, finishing 7th in the Premier League with 57 points from 38 matches (16 wins, 9 draws, 13 losses). Jiménez's performances were a key factor in this success, helping the newly-promoted side secure European football for the following season.Building on his successful first season in England, Jiménez's loan move to Wolves was made permanent. This season saw him reach new heights in terms of his goal-scoring prowess.

In the Premier League, Jiménez made 38 appearances (37 starts), scoring 17 goals and providing 6 assists in 3,244 minutes of play. His goal-scoring rate improved to 0.47 goals per 90 minutes, establishing him as one of the league's top strikers.Jiménez also excelled in Wolves' Europa League campaign.

He scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists in 15 appearances, playing a crucial role as Wolves reached the quarter-finals of the competition.In domestic cup competitions, he made 2 appearances in the FA Cup and 1 in the EFL Cup, scoring 1 goal.Across all competitions for the 2019/20 season, Jiménez made an impressive 55 appearances for Wolves, scoring 27 goals and providing 10 assists. This was by far his most productive season, cementing his status as one of the Premier League's top forwards.

Wolves had another strong season, finishing 7th in the Premier League for the second consecutive year. They amassed 59 points from 38 matches (15 wins, 14 draws, 9 losses). Jiménez's contributions were vital to this success, both in the league and in Europe.This season was unfortunately cut short for Jiménez due to a serious injury.

He suffered a fractured skull in a match against Arsenal on November 29, 2020, which ended his season prematurely.Before his injury, Jiménez had made a strong start to the Premier League campaign. He made 10 appearances (all starts), scoring 4 goals in 825 minutes of play. His goal-scoring rate remained impressive at 0.

44 goals per 90 minutes.He also made 1 appearance in the EFL Cup before his injury.Despite the limited playing time, Jiménez's performances in the early part of the season were crucial for Wolves. His absence was keenly felt by the team for the remainder of the campaign.

Wolves finished the season in 13th place with 45 points from 38 matches (12 wins, 9 draws, 17 losses), a drop from their previous two seasons that could be partly attributed to the loss of their star striker.The 2021/22 season marked Jiménez's return to football following his serious head injury in the previous campaign. His comeback was eagerly anticipated by Wolves fans and the football community at large.In the Premier League, Jiménez made 34 appearances, scoring 6 goals and providing 4 assists in 2,638 minutes of play.

While these numbers were lower than his pre-injury form, they represented a significant achievement given the severity of his injury. His goal-scoring rate was 0.20 goals per 90 minutes, showing he was still adjusting to top-level football after his long absence.In cup competitions, Jiménez made 2 appearances in the FA Cup, providing 1 assist.

He didn't feature in the EFL Cup.Across all competitions for the 2021/22 season, Jiménez made 36 appearances for Wolves, scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists. While these statistics were not as impressive as his previous seasons, they demonstrated his resilience and determination to return to professional football.Wolves finished the season in 10th place in the Premier League with 51 points from 38 matches (15 wins, 6 draws, 17 losses).

Jiménez's contributions, while not as prolific as in previous years, were still important to the team's mid-table finish.The 2022/23 season proved to be Jiménez's last at Wolves, and it was a challenging one for both the player and the club.In the Premier League, Jiménez made 15 appearances, failing to score but providing 1 assist in 841 minutes of play. This marked his least productive season in English football, with injuries and competition for places limiting his involvement.

In cup competitions, Jiménez found more success. He made 3 appearances in the EFL Cup, scoring 3 goals. He also played 2 matches in the FA Cup but didn't score.Across all competitions for the 2022/23 season, Jiménez made 20 appearances for Wolves, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist.

This significant drop in his goal-scoring output was a concern for both the player and the club.Wolves struggled in the Premier League this season, finishing in 13th place with 41 points from 38 matches (11 wins, 8 draws, 19 losses). The team's difficulties in front of goal, including Jiménez's lack of form, contributed to their lower league position.For the 2023/24 season saw a major change for Jiménez as he moved from Wolves to Fulham in July 2023, signing a contract until the summer of 2025 with an option for a further year.

As of the latest available data, Jiménez has made a promising start to his Fulham career. In the Premier League, he has made 24 appearances, scoring 7 goals in 1,402 minutes of play. This represents a significant improvement on his final season at Wolves, with a goal-scoring rate of 0.45 goals per 90 minutes.

In cup competitions, Jiménez has made 4 appearances in the EFL Cup and 1 in the FA Cup, although he hasn't scored in these matches.Across all competitions so far in the 2023/24 season, Jiménez has made 29 appearances for Fulham, scoring 7 goals. This resurgence in form suggests that the change of scenery has been beneficial for the Mexican striker.It's worth noting that the 2023/24 season is still ongoing, so these statistics may change by the end of the campaign.

Throughout these three seasons, Jiménez's career has seen significant ups and downs. The 2021/22 season was about his return from a life-threatening injury, and while his numbers weren't at his previous best, his comeback was a success in itself. The 2022/23 season was challenging, with Jiménez struggling for form and playing time at Wolves. However, his move to Fulham in 2023/24 seems to have rejuvenated his career, with the striker showing signs of returning to his best form.

National team

The following year, he was part of the Mexican squad for the Copa América Centenario in 2016, where Mexico reached the quarter-finals.The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia saw Jiménez take on a more prominent role within the team. He appeared in all four of Mexico's matches, including starts against Sweden in the group stage and Brazil in the round of 16. Although Mexico was eliminated by Brazil, Jiménez's performances were well-received and further cemented his place as a key player for the national team.

One of the highlights of Jiménez's international career came in 2019 when he was part of the Mexican squad that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He played a crucial role in the tournament, scoring in the semi-final against Haiti and in the final against the United States, helping Mexico secure their eighth Gold Cup title. His performances in this tournament showcased his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and further endeared him to Mexican fans.Jiménez has also represented Mexico in the FIFA Confederations Cup, participating in both the 2013 and 2017 editions of the tournament. These appearances provided him with additional experience in international competitions and the opportunity to face top-tier national teams from around the world.As of 2023, Jiménez has earned over 100 caps for Mexico, a significant milestone that places him among the most experienced players in the national team's history.

He has scored 30 goals for his country, making him one of Mexico's top scorers of all time. This goal tally includes important strikes in World Cup qualifiers, friendly matches, and major tournaments

Player’s style

Raúl Jiménez's style of play is characterized by his versatility and all-round ability as a forward. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 m), he possesses a strong physical presence that allows him to excel in aerial duels and hold-up play. This makes him an effective target man, capable of bringing his teammates into play and creating space for others.

Despite his size, Jiménez is also surprisingly agile and technically gifted. He has good ball control and dribbling skills, allowing him to operate effectively in tight spaces and contribute to build-up play. His vision and passing ability enable him to create chances for his teammates, making him more than just a traditional number nine.One of Jiménez's key strengths is his clinical finishing.

He is comfortable scoring with both feet and his head, making him a constant threat in the box. His intelligent movement off the ball allows him to find space in crowded penalty areas, and he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.Defensively, Jiménez is known for his work rate and willingness to press opponents. This makes him valuable in teams that employ a high-pressing system, as he can effectively lead the press from the front.

Overall, Jiménez's style of play combines physical strength, technical skill, and tactical intelligence, making him a well-rounded and adaptable forward capable of thriving in various tactical systems and leagues.