Mexico player on effects of playing in higher altitude ahead of England game
Ahead of the highly anticipated Mexico-England match in Estadio Azteca, Alvaro Fidalgo tells reporters how difficult it is to play in higher elevation.
MEXICO CITY — Raúl Jiménez has scored two goals for Mexico in the 2026 World Cup so far, and he’s done it while wearing a unique piece of equipment.
The Mexican forward has been wearing a custom, medically-approved protective head guard for the past five years and will continue to do so for the remainder of his career.
On November 29, 2020, Jiménez suffered a catastrophic head injury while playing for Wolverhampton in a Premier League match against Arsenal. Jiménez clashed head-on with Arsenal defender David Luiz and was knocked unconscious.
Jiménez was immediately rushed to St. Mary’s hospital in London to receive emergency medical care. The collision resulted in a fractured skull and a brain injury that almost ended his life. Eight months of recovery later, Jiménez returned to the pitch in August 2021.
Jiménez is now one of the most senior players for El Tri. He made his debut for the Mexican national team at the age of 21 in 2013 and has 47 career goals in his 129 appearances representing the nation, including two goals in this year’s World Cup.
Watch Raúl Jiménez’s goal vs. Ecuador in World Cup
Jiménez’s goal came in the 31st minute, shortly after Julián Quiñones scored the opener. Jiménez intercepted a clearance attempt from Ecuador’s Willian Pacho in the attacking third, cut inside and found Quiñones, who delivered the ball right back to him at the top of the box. It set up El Tri’s second goal of the night en route to their 2-0 round of 32 win, Mexico’s first knockout stage victory since 1986.
An emotional Jiménez lied on the grass and his teammates piled on top of him in celebration, while the ecstatic Estadio Azteca crowd broke out in chants of their newest rallying cry — Y si si?
