Raúl Jiménez: The Collision, Survival, and World Cup Moment

Mexico’s players are all wearing those iconic Green jerseys for the 2026 World Cup. But there’s one man who just immediately stands out.
Every time Raúl Jiménez steps onto the field, you see him. And he always wears that custom black protective head guard. It's a permanent marker. A reminder of the injury. The kind of thing that nearly took his life.
The Collision That Changed Everything
It happened November 29th, 2020. He was playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. And he collided with Arsenal defender David Luiz head-on. Instantly unconscious. It was one of those moments you just don’t process right away. Horrific stuff.
He was rushed to the hospital immediately. Fractured skull. Bleeding inside the brain. Doctors were terrified, honestly. Not just about his career maybe. About him surviving.
Jiménez later said it felt like a miracle just to be there. A real gut punch of survival.
“There was the skull fracture,” he recalled. “The bone broke. There was bleeding in the brain itself. It pushed everything inward. That’s why the surgery had to happen fast. The doctors did a really good job.”
A Miracle Return
The road back? Long. Uncertain.
He spent eight months just recovering. Eight months of waiting. Then he finally came back to professional football in August 2021. During all that time, though, the warnings kept coming from the doctors. Retirement was a real possibility then. They told him the risks right from the start.
“Since that first moment,” he mentioned. “The doctors told me everything about the dangers.”
It took longer than anyone expected for that skull fracture to settle down completely. But he’s here now. He’s still wearing that protective head guard, medically approved. Plans are to keep it on for the rest of his career. It just sticks with you.
A World Cup Moment Worth Waiting For
And then came the big one. Against South Africa in Mexico. The opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Finally, he got that moment he’d waited his whole life for.
In the 67th minute, everything snapped into focus. A pinpoint cross from Roberto Alvarado. And Jiménez powered a header. Beyond Ronwen Williams. From close range. It was pure instinct.
That goal helped Mexico win 2-0. But more than that moment? It marked his first World Cup goal. After playing in the tournaments back in ’14, ’18, and ’22. A goal earned through unimaginable pain.
Written by Gree News Team — Senior Editorial Board
Gree News Team covers international news and global affairs at Gree News. Our collective of senior editors is dedicated to providing independent, accurate, and responsible journalism for a global audience.
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