Omar

If you knew the back story(ies), you would cry too. Raúl Jiménez has played at four World Cups. Across Brazil, Russia and Qatar, he never scored a single goal. Today, on home soil at the Estadio Azteca, that finally changed. And the moment broke him. The tears obviously carried years. In March 2026, just three months ago, Jiménez lost his father Raúl Jiménez Vega to pancreatic cancer at the age of 62. He was a pivotal figure in his son's career. That goal was for him. And there was more beneath it. In 2020, playing for Wolves against Arsenal, Jiménez fractured his skull in a collision with David Luiz. He lay unconscious on the pitch while teammates and family feared the worst. It took emergency surgery and eight months to return. He still wears the protective headband today. Many of us thought it was over back then. 6 years later, at 35, Jimenez’s story is still being written. Just think about it. A near-fatal injury, a grieving son and a 12-year wait for one World Cup goal, finally answered in front of his own people. This is why we watch football. Not for the trophies. For the human underneath. Don’t you just love it. My name is Ajoje. I am a FIFA Licensed Agent and International Sports Lawyer. I write on the Law and Business of Football, a lot. Repost and Follow if you want to read more posts like this.