Julian Quinones quietens Mexico identity row with first goal of 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Colombian-born, naturalised Mexican Julian Quinones opened the 2026 World Cup scoring, quietening Mexico’s identity row over naturalised players. L'Équipe notes that his strike has cooled a fierce debate around El Tri.

The 29-year-old netted in the tournament opener against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June, a 2-0 home win. Like Hugo Sanchez, he scored on his World Cup debut.

Head coach Javier Aguirre’s call to pick the Al-Qadsiah winger angered some, given he is not Mexican-born and plays abroad. It also meant overlooking the Argentine-born Germán Berterame and the American-born Richard Ledezma, as well as popular home-based options.

Aguirre kept five dual nationals or naturalised players for the finals after calling six in March. Three started the opener, Quinones plus midfielders Alvaro Fidalgo, born in Spain, and Brian Gutiérrez, born in the United States, while Santiago Giménez, born in Argentina, and Obed Vargas, born in the United States, stayed on the bench.

The practice is common worldwide, yet this proportion is new for Mexico. Citing his own naturalised-immigrant parents, Aguirre has said these players bring the change his side needs.

Quinones’ impact has eased tensions that dogged Guillermo Franco in 2006 and 2010 and Rogelio Funes Mori in 2022. Former Tigres captain André-Pierre Gignac says he presses, is powerful and technically sharp, recalling a chipped cross from Quinones that he finished with a bicycle kick. La Pantera topped the Saudi League with 33 goals in 31 matches, 37 in 35 across the season, finishing ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Source: L'Équipe