Mexico World Cup goalscorer wears headguard after clash with ex-Flamengo | OneFootball

Raul Jiménez scored Mexico’s second goal in their World Cup opener

Mexico made their World Cup debut this Thursday (11) with a 2-0 win over South Africa. The hosts’ second goal was scored by Raúl Jiménez with a header. Curiously, the striker has been wearing head protection for a few years now. The reason? A collision with David Luiz, former Flamengo player.

In November 2020, Jiménez, then at Wolverhampton (ENG), collided with David Luiz, who was playing for Arsenal (ENG) at the time, while challenging for the ball. The Mexican came off worse and suffered a skull injury. At the time, the striker underwent emergency surgery, and doctors described his recovery as a “miracle.”

After the major scare caused by the broken bone and bleeding in his head, Jiménez only returned to playing in August 2021, that is, ten months later. “I always thought that after my recovery I would come back to do what I love doing. I never thought about ending my career,” he said at the time.

SO, AN IRONY OF FATE?

Jiménez is playing in the fourth World Cup of his career, after appearing in 2014, 2018, and 2022. However, the 35-year-old striker had never scored in the tournament before. By irony of fate, the goal finally came with his head—the very thing that almost took football away from him. After finding the net, the player could not hold back his tears.

SO, HOW DID THE CAREERS OF JIMÉNEZ AND DAVID LUIZ TURN OUT?

In short, after the 2020 collision, Jiménez stayed at Wolverhampton until 2023, the year he moved to Fulham (ENG), where he remained for three seasons. For 2026/27, the player has already been announced by his former club, Wolves, who were relegated to the second tier of English football.

Meanwhile, David Luiz stayed at Arsenal until 2021, when he signed for Flamengo. The following season, the center-back won the Libertadores and the Brasileirão wearing the Sacred Jersey. His spell with the Most Beloved came to an end in 2024. Afterward, the defender also played for Fortaleza and is now at Pafos (CYP).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.