Raúl Jiménez — Mexico’s legendary striker, skull fracture survivor, and 2026 World Cup hero. Age 35, 46 international goals, and an extraordinary comeback story.
Raúl Jiménez is one of the most remarkable footballers of his generation — not just for what he has achieved on the pitch, but for what he has survived off it. Born on May 5, 1991, in Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo, Mexico, the 35-year-old striker has played at the highest levels of European football across Spain, Portugal, and England, earning a place among the greatest Mexican footballers of all time. His tally of 46 international goals puts him joint second on Mexico’s all-time scoring list, behind only Javier Hernández.
What makes Jiménez’s story truly extraordinary is his comeback from a life-threatening skull fracture in 2020, which required emergency brain surgery. Fewer than nine months later, he was back on the pitch. In June 2026, he scored a powerful header for Mexico at the FIFA World Cup — using the very part of his head that doctors once feared might never be used in football again. Few stories in modern sport match his for raw resilience.
Key Details About Raúl Jiménez
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez |
| Date of Birth | May 5, 1991 |
| Age | 35 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo, Mexico |
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Profession | Professional Footballer (Striker) |
| Current Club | Wolverhampton Wanderers (from June 2026) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $16–23 million (2025 est.) |
| Partner | Daniela Basso (since 2017) |
| Children | Arya (born 2020), son (born 2022) |
| International Goals | 46 goals in 126+ Mexico appearances |
| Famous For | 2026 World Cup goal, skull fracture comeback, 100 European goals |
From Tepeji del Río to Club América
Jiménez grew up in Tepeji del Río, a small city in the state of Hidalgo, in a sports-loving household. His father, Raúl Jiménez Vega, was an athlete who played in Mexico’s minor leagues and instilled a love for football in all his children from an early age. His mother, Martha Rodríguez, provided unwavering support throughout his development, and that family closeness would later become a pillar during the most difficult moments of his career.
He joined Club América’s prestigious youth academy in 2008, one of Mexico’s most esteemed football academies. He quickly stood out as a physically imposing and technically gifted striker, combining aerial strength with intelligent movement off the ball. After working his way through the ranks, he made his professional debut on October 9, 2011, in a 1–1 draw against Monarcas Morelia.
By 2013, Jiménez had established himself as a key figure for América. He was the team’s second-highest goalscorer as they won the Clausura title — his first professional championship. That same year, he earned his first call-up to the Mexico senior national team, beginning an international career that now spans four FIFA World Cups.
A European Journey Across Four Clubs
In August 2014, Jiménez made the leap to Europe, signing for Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone. Competition for places was fierce at the Spanish giants, and after one season he moved to Benfica in Portugal — a transfer that would prove transformative. Over three seasons in Lisbon, he made 120 appearances, scored 31 goals, and won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles plus other domestic honours.
In June 2018, Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him on loan, and he immediately made his mark — scoring on his Premier League debut against Everton. Wolves made the deal permanent the following year, and Jiménez became the heartbeat of their attack. He contributed 57 goals in 166 appearances across all competitions, earning the club’s Player of the Season award in 2019–20 before his career was stopped in its tracks.
He joined Fulham in July 2023 and had an outstanding 2024–25 season, scoring 12 Premier League goals and helping the club accumulate 54 points — a club record for a single Premier League season. In September 2024, he reached his 50th Premier League goal and his 100th goal for a European club, becoming only the third Mexican player in history to reach that milestone after Hugo Sánchez and Javier Hernández. In June 2026, he signed a two-year deal to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Skull Fracture That Almost Ended Everything
On November 29, 2020, during a Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Jiménez challenged defender David Luiz for a corner kick. Their heads collided with tremendous force. Jiménez collapsed unconscious on the pitch and was rushed to hospital, where surgeons performed emergency neurosurgery to stop internal bleeding and reduce pressure on his brain. His skull had fractured, and bone fragments had pushed dangerously close to his brain tissue.
Doctors described his survival as close to miraculous. There was genuine uncertainty, not only about whether he could play football again, but about whether he would fully recover at all. Jiménez has since spoken openly about those terrifying days. He now wears protective headgear during matches — a permanent precaution for the rest of his career.
After approximately eight months of intensive rehabilitation, Jiménez returned to the pitch for Wolverhampton Wanderers. That comeback is now one of the most celebrated in Premier League history. He has used the experience as a source of motivation ever since, often urging teammates to show the same resilience he was forced to discover. The emotional symmetry of his 2026 World Cup goal — a towering header — was not lost on anyone.
International Glory with El Tri
Jiménez’s international career has been equally decorated. He was part of the Mexico under-23 team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics — a historic achievement for Mexican football. He has since gone on to represent El Tri at four FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026), two FIFA Confederations Cups, two Copa América tournaments, and three CONCACAF Gold Cups.
His finest tournament performances came in more recent years. At the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he was top scorer and won the Golden Ball award as Mexico lifted the title. In March 2025, he scored both of Mexico’s goals in the CONCACAF Nations League final, giving El Tri a 2–1 victory over Panama and the country’s first-ever Nations League title. He also scored the equaliser in the 2025 Gold Cup final as Mexico beat the United States 2–1.
Then came the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. In the opening match, played at Estadio Azteca before a roaring home crowd, Jiménez scored Mexico’s second goal in a 2–0 win over South Africa. His celebration brought him to tears — he pointed to the sky in tribute to his late father, Raúl Jiménez Vega, who passed away in March 2026. It was, by any measure, one of the most emotional moments of his career.
Personal Life: Daniela Basso and Family
Jiménez has been in a relationship with Mexican actress Daniela Basso since 2017. The couple have two children together and share a life that Jiménez has described as his greatest source of strength, particularly during his recovery from his skull fracture. The pair were together throughout his rehabilitation, and he has credited her support as central to his return.
He also remained extremely close to his father before his death. Following his father’s passing in early 2026, Jiménez was visibly emotional when he scored at Fulham shortly afterwards, falling to his knees and pointing skyward in tribute — a celebration he reprised at the 2026 World Cup.
Net Worth and Earnings
Jiménez’s net worth is estimated at between $16 million and $23 million as of 2025. His wealth comes primarily from club salaries — he reportedly earned around £100,000 per week at Fulham — along with bonuses, performance incentives, and endorsement partnerships. His transfer market value and career earnings from Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Wolves, and Fulham have built a substantial financial portfolio. He is also a Nike-endorsed athlete, adding further income through commercial deals.
The Bottom Line
Raúl Jiménez’s career defies easy summary. He is a player who has won Olympic gold, lifted international trophies, scored 100 goals in European football, and then survived a brain injury that would have ended most careers permanently. Through it all, he has carried himself with quiet dignity and remarkable consistency.
At 35, he is not winding down — he is returning to Wolverhampton for another chapter, still leading Mexico’s attack at a home World Cup. That he is playing football at all remains extraordinary. That he is still playing it this well is something else entirely.
His story speaks to something universal: the refusal to let the worst moments define you. For generations of Mexican footballers and fans around the world, Raúl Jiménez has become far more than a striker — he is a symbol of what perseverance actually looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Raúl Jiménez?
Raúl Jiménez is a Mexican professional footballer born on May 5, 1991, in Tepeji del Río, Hidalgo. He plays as a striker for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Mexico national team, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican forwards of all time. He is currently joint second on Mexico’s all-time scoring list with 46 international goals.
Q2: What happened to Raúl Jiménez’s skull?
In November 2020, Jiménez suffered a life-threatening skull fracture during a Premier League match against Arsenal, after a collision with defender David Luiz. He required emergency brain surgery and spent approximately eight months in rehabilitation before returning to professional football. He now wears protective headgear in all matches as a permanent precaution.
Q3: How many goals has Raúl Jiménez scored for Mexico?
As of July 2026, Jiménez has scored 46 goals for Mexico across 126+ international appearances, placing him joint second on El Tri’s all-time scoring list. His most notable international goals include a bicycle kick against Panama in World Cup qualifying and his header against South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Q4: What is Raúl Jiménez’s net worth?
Jiménez’s net worth is estimated between $16 million and $23 million as of 2025. His wealth comes from his salaries at top European clubs, endorsement deals with brands like Nike, and performance bonuses accumulated over more than a decade of elite-level football.
Q5: Who is Raúl Jiménez’s partner?
Jiménez has been in a relationship with Mexican actress Daniela Basso since 2017. The couple have two children together and were engaged as of 2026. Basso was a central figure in Jiménez’s support system during his recovery from his skull fracture in 2020–21.
Q6: Which clubs has Raúl Jiménez played for?
Jiménez’s career has taken him from Club América in Mexico to Atlético Madrid in Spain, Benfica in Portugal, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Fulham in the English Premier League. In June 2026, he signed a two-year deal to return to Wolverhampton Wanderers following his contract expiration at Fulham.
Q7: Did Raúl Jiménez score at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. On June 11, 2026, Jiménez scored Mexico’s second goal in a 2–0 opening victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The goal — a powerful header — carried enormous emotional weight, coming less than six years after his near-fatal skull fracture and shortly after the death of his father.
