Overview
Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez, born on 5 May 1991, is a Mexican professional footballer who has established himself as a prominent centre-forward in both European club football and on the international stage. Standing at 1.90 meters, Jiménez possesses a physical presence that complements his technical ability, making him a versatile attacking threat. His career has seen him play for clubs in Mexico, Spain, Portugal, and England, earning a reputation for his goal-scoring prowess and crucial contributions in various competitions.
Position
Jiménez primarily plays as a centre-forward, leading the line for his teams. His role often involves being the focal point of the attack, tasked with holding up the ball, linking play with midfielders and wingers, and converting goal-scoring opportunities. While his natural position is striker, his tactical intelligence and work rate allow him to adapt to various attacking systems, sometimes dropping deeper to facilitate build-up or drifting wide to create space for others. His ability to score with both feet and his head adds to his effectiveness in the final third.
Identity
Raúl Jiménez is widely recognized as a complete forward, blending traditional centre-forward attributes with modern attacking demands. He is often described as a 'fox in the box' due to his positional awareness in the penalty area, combined with a capacity for spectacular goals from outside. Beyond his goal-scoring, Jiménez's strong link-up play and aerial dominance are defining characteristics of his game. He has consistently demonstrated resilience, notably returning to top-level football after a serious head injury, showcasing his mental fortitude and dedication to the sport.
Career path
Raúl Jiménez's football journey began in Mexico, progressing through the youth ranks before making a significant impact in European leagues. His career path reflects a steady ascent through different footballing cultures.
Club América
Jiménez started his professional career at Club América, one of Mexico's most decorated clubs. He made his senior debut for the club in October 2011. During his tenure with América, he quickly established himself as a key attacking player, showcasing his aerial threat and finishing ability. He was instrumental in Club América's Liga MX Clausura title win in 2013, contributing significantly with goals and assists. By the time he left in 2014, he had scored 38 goals in 103 appearances across all competitions for the club, as per Transfermarkt.
Atlético Madrid
Following his impressive performances in Mexico, Jiménez secured a move to European football, joining Spanish giants Atlético Madrid in August 2014 for an reported transfer fee of €10.5 million Transfermarkt. His time in Madrid, however, was brief and challenging. Competing for a starting spot in a highly competitive squad, he made 21 appearances in La Liga, scoring one goal, and featured in the UEFA Champions League. Despite the limited playing time, the experience in Spain's top flight provided valuable exposure to European football.
Benfica
In August 2015, Jiménez moved to Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, initially on loan before making the move permanent in 2016 for a reported €22 million, making him the most expensive signing in the club's history at the time Wikipedia. At Benfica, he enjoyed a successful period, winning two Primeira Liga titles (2015–16, 2016–17), one Taça de Portugal, and two Taça da Liga cups. He scored 31 goals in 120 appearances for Benfica across all competitions, demonstrating his consistent contribution to their domestic success Transfermarkt.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jiménez's next significant move was to the Premier League, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 2018, initially on a season-long loan which was made permanent in April 2019 for a club-record fee of approximately £30 million Transfermarkt. He quickly became a pivotal player for Wolves, leading their attack and establishing himself as one of the league's most effective forwards. His debut season saw him score 17 goals across all competitions. He continued his strong form, but a severe head injury in November 2020 sidelined him for an extended period. His return to play in 2021 was a testament to his determination and recovery. He remained with Wolves until 2023, making over 160 appearances.
Fulham
In July 2023, Jiménez joined Fulham, continuing his career in the Premier League. This move provided him with a new challenge and an opportunity to regularly feature as a first-team striker Transfermarkt. He adapted to Fulham's attacking style, contributing goals and assists and showcasing his experience to guide the younger forwards in the squad.
Playing style
Raúl Jiménez's playing style is characterized by a blend of physical strength, aerial dominance, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing, making him a well-rounded centre-forward. His 1.90m height gives him a significant advantage in aerial duels, both in attacking and defensive set-pieces. He uses his body effectively to hold off defenders, creating space for teammates and allowing his team to transition from defense to attack.
One of his most notable attributes is his exceptional hold-up play. Jiménez exhibits a strong understanding of how to receive the ball with his back to goal, shield it from pressure, and lay it off to advancing midfielders or wingers. This ability is crucial for teams that rely on a central reference point in their attacking build-up. Data from FBref often highlights his high volume of progressive passes received and successful flick-ons, underscoring his role in linking play.
In terms of goalscoring, Jiménez possesses a varied repertoire. He is proficient with both feet and is particularly dangerous with his head. His positional awareness in the penalty area allows him to anticipate crosses and rebounds, often finding himself in the right place at the right time. He is also capable of striking from distance, with several memorable goals scored from outside the box throughout his career. His penalty-taking ability is another strength, demonstrating composure under pressure.
Beyond his attacking contributions, Jiménez also exhibits a commendable work rate off the ball. He engages in pressing from the front, aiming to disrupt opposition build-up and force turnovers. While not known for blistering pace, his intelligent chạy and understanding of space allow him to make effective runs behind defenses or into channels. His defensive contributions are evident in his willingness to track back and help his team defend set-pieces, often occupying key zones in the box.
Comparisons can be drawn to forwards who combine physicality with technical skill and intelligence, such as Edinson Cavani or even a more traditional target man like Olivier Giroud, but with greater mobility and link-up play. His ability to lead the line, score goals, and contribute to overall team play makes him a highly valued asset for any side.
Achievements & honours
Raúl Jiménez has accumulated a notable list of team trophies and individual accolades throughout his career, reflecting his impact at both club and international levels.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Liga MX | Club América | 2013 Clausura |
| Primeira Liga | Benfica | 2015–16, 2016–17 |
| Taça de Portugal | Benfica | 2016–17 |
| Taça da Liga | Benfica | 2015–16 |
| Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira | Benfica | 2016, 2017 |
Individual Accolades
- Concacaf Gold Cup Golden Boot: 2019
- Concacaf Gold Cup Best XI: 2019
- FWA Writers' Player of the Year: 2019–20 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- PFA Team of the Year (Premier League): 2019–20
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Season: 2018–19, 2019–20
His performance during the 2019–20 season with Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he scored 27 goals across all competitions, led to significant individual recognition, including the FWA Writers' Player of the Year award, an honour voted for by football journalists Wikipedia. He also earned a spot in the PFA Team of the Year, acknowledging his consistent high-level performance in the Premier League.
International career
Raúl Jiménez has been a long-standing and influential figure for the Mexico national football team, earning over 100 caps and scoring more than 30 goals since his debut. His international career began in 2013, and he quickly established himself as a key attacking option for El Tri.
He has represented Mexico in multiple major tournaments, including three FIFA World Cups. His first World Cup appearance came in Brazil 2014, followed by Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Jiménez has often been the primary striker for his country, leading the line and providing crucial goals in qualification campaigns and final tournaments. His experience and leadership have been vital for the national squad.
One of his most impactful international tournaments was the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Mexico winning the title. Jiménez was the tournament's top scorer with five goals, earning him the Golden Boot award, and was also named in the Best XI for the competition CONCACAF. This performance solidified his status as one of Concacaf's premier forwards.
Beyond the Gold Cup and World Cups, Jiménez has also featured in the Copa América and the Olympic Games. He was part of the Mexico squad that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, a significant achievement for Mexican football. His consistent presence and goal-scoring record make him one of Mexico's most important players of his generation, often being the go-to option when the team needs a decisive moment in attack FIFA.
What makes Raúl Jiménez stand out
Raúl Jiménez stands out primarily due to his exceptional aerial ability combined with a refined technical skill set unusual for a player of his stature. He isn't just a target man; he's a complete forward who can score with powerful headers, intricate footwork, and long-range shots. His intelligence in positioning and link-up play allows him to operate effectively as the focal point of an attack, bringing others into play while also being a prolific scorer himself.
His resilience is another defining trait. Returning to top-flight football and performing at a high level after a skull fracture in 2020 demonstrated remarkable determination and mental strength. This comeback solidified his reputation as a fighter who overcomes adversity.
"Raúl is a fantastic player, a complete striker. He scores goals, he works for the team, he's good in the air, he connects play. He has everything."