Raúl Jiménez

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Jiménez and the second or maternal family name is Rodríguez.
Raúl Jiménez

Jiménez playing with Mexico in 2013
Personal information
Full nameRaúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez[1]
Date of birth5 May 1991[1]
Place of birthTepeji, Mexico
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Atlético Madrid
Number11
Youth career
1998–2011América
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2011–2014América96(36)
2014–Atlético Madrid16(1)
National team‡
2012Mexico U2313(1)
2013–Mexico29(6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2015

Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez (born 5 May 1991) is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a striker for Spanish club Atlético Madrid and the Mexico national team.

He began his career in Club América's youth system before debuting in the first division in October 2011,[2] and winning his first league championship almost two years later. Jiménez was a part of the Mexican squad that won the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 2012.[3]

Club career

América

2011–12 season

Jiménez began his career playing for Club América's youth system, being considered a promising young striker. On 9 October 2011, under interim-coach Alfredo Tena, Jiménez made his professional debut during the Apertura tournament against Monarcas Morelia, in a match which ended in a 1–1 draw.[4] He scored his first goal on 30 October in a 2–3 loss to Puebla, scoring in the 2nd minute of the match.[5] He appeared six times and scored one goal in his debut tournament.

Jiménez did not appear in the Clausura 2012 until 11 February—week seven of the tournament—against Atlas, which ended in a 1–1 draw, coming on as a second-half substitute for Christian Bermúdez.[6] He scored his first goal of the tournament on 9 March in the 1–1 draw against Tijuana at the Estadio Caliente.[7] Jiménez appeared twelve times and scored once during the Clausura, with América being eliminated in the semi-finals by Monterrey.

2012–13 season

After participating in the Summer Olympics with Mexico and the sale of Vicente Matías Vuoso, Jiménez won a spot in América's starting eleven for the Apertura 2012 tournament, playing as a second-striker alongside Christian Benítez in manager Miguel Herrera's 5-3-2 tactical scheme. He was also given the vacant number 9 shirt, switching from the number 47 shirt he debuted with. Jiménez scored on 15 September in the 2–0 victory over Santos Laguna at the Estadio Azteca.[8] He would go on to score two weeks later in the 1–1 draw against Monarcas Morelia.[9] Jiménez received his first red card during América's 2–1 victory over San Luis, meaning he would miss "El Súper Clásico" against Guadalajara.[10] On 3 November, he scored the second goal in the 4–0 win over Pachuca.[11] On 17 November, Jiménez scored in the 1–2 defeat to Morelia in the second-leg of the quarter-final. Despite the loss, América won the series by a 3–2 aggregate score and advanced to the semi-finals.[12] América would ultimately be eliminated in the semi-finals by Toluca. Jimenéz ended the tournament with sixteen appearances and scoring four goals.

Jiménez began the Clausura 2013 tournament as a starter in the first two league matches, and scored his first brace in the 4–0 victory over Atlante on 19 January.[13] He bagged another brace on 2 February in América's 3–0 win against Querétaro.[14] On 31 March, Jiménez scored two headers in the 2–0 victory over Guadalajara at the Estadio Omnilife.[15] Jimenéz finished the regular phase of the tournament with eight goals, and scored in América's 1–0 away win over Pumas UNAM in the first-leg of the quarter-final series of the playoffs on 8 May.[16] In the second-leg of the semi-final series against Monterrey, Jimenéz scored from a penalty and assisted Christian Benitez in the second goal to win the match 2–1 (4–3 on aggregate), sending América to the Final against Cruz Azul.[17] Jiménez played in both legs and scored in the subsequent penalty shoot-out which América ultimately won, thus being crowned league champions.[18]

2013–2014 season

On 3 August 2013 Jiménez scored his first goal of the Apertura tournament in the 3–0 win over Atlas.[19] He would go on to score in the following three-consecutive matches in wins over Atlante, Pachuca, and Morelia, respectively, taking his goal tally to four goals in five matches played. He would score again on 13 September in América's 1–2 defeat to Santos Laguna.[20] On 5 October, Jiménez scored a header and assisted in Luis Gabriel Rey's goal in the 2–0 victory over Guadalajara.[21] Jiménez ended the regular-phase of the Apertura with seven goals in twelve games played. He scored in the second-leg of the quarter-finals against Tigres UANL which ended in a 1–1 draw at the Estadio Azteca on 1 December, with América advancing, despite a 2–2 aggregate score, due to the away-goals rule.[22] América would win the semi-final matches against Toluca and advance once again to the league final, though failing to achieve the repeat after losing both legs to León.[23]

During the 2014 Clausura season Jiménez paired with Luis Gabriel Rey creating a powerful pair in the Mexican league. During the play-offs, Jiménez scored a hat trick changing the score from 1-3 to 4-3, in the Quarter-final match against Santos Laguna[24] the match ended in a 5-3 win for America, but it wasn't enough to stay in the run for the title since Santos Laguna would win in their home 3-1 ending in a 6-6 combined score [25] defeat for America (Since Santos won on away goals scored). Jiménez ended the season with 17 appearances and 8 goals scored in 1,458' minutes.[26] Recent rumors have arose stating Jiménez might move to a European team, after the World Cup.[27][28][29]

2014–2015 season

After his participation in the 2014 World Cup Jiménez was highly linked to a move to Portuguese club F.C. Porto.[30][31][32][33] However he began the Apertura 2014 season with America, with a great start after scoring 4 goals in the first 3 games. He scored a hat-trick against Puebla and assisted Oribe Peralta's first goal with America winning the match 4-0.[34] He played his last game for América August 9, 2014 against Tigres where Raúl assisted Miguel Layún's goal winning the match 2-0.

Atlético Madrid

Jiménez playing for Atlético Madrid in 2015.

On 13 August 2014, Atlético Madrid reached an agreement with Club América for Jiménez,[35] for a fee reported to be in the region of €11 million.[36] The following day, he signed a six-year deal after passing the medical examination.[37] Jiménez made his debut on 16 August, in the final of the Ramón de Carranza Trophy pre-season tournament against Sampdoria, starting the match and being substituted out in the 79th minute. Atlético won 2–0.[38]

2014–15 season

He made his competitive debut in the first leg of the Supercopa de España on 19 August, a 1–1 draw against Real Madrid, playing the final 12 minutes in place of fellow debutant Mario Mandžukić.[39] Jiménez played in the second leg as well coming in as a substitute for Antoine Griezmann in the 73rd minute of the match, the game ended in a 1–0 win and an aggregated score of 2–1.

Jiménez made his La Liga debut on 25 August, in a goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano. He scored his first league goal for Atlético on 27 September, in a 4–0 win against Sevilla, coming off the bench.

International career

Mexico U23

2012 Toulon Tournament

In 2012, Raúl Jiménez was selected by coach Luis Fernando Tena to participate in the 2012 Toulon Tournament with the under-23 national team. Jiménez managed to score Mexico's third goal in the 4–2 victory over the Netherlands in the semi-finals on 30 May.[40] Mexico would subsequently win the final, defeating Turkey 3–0.[41]

2012 London Olympics

Raúl Jiménez made the final cut in the squad participating in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[42] He made his Olympic debut in the group stage match against South Korea on 26 July, which ended in a 0–0 draw, with Jiménez coming in as a substitute and coming close to scoring a late goal, with the ball ricocheting off the goalkeeper's left-hand post.[43] He subsequently made appearances against Switzerland,[44] Senegal,[45] Japan,[46] and Brazil in the final, coming on as a substitute in those matches. Mexico would go on to defeat Brazil 2–1 and win the gold medal.[47][48]

Mexico national team

Jiménez made his debut for the senior national team in a 1–1 draw against Denmark on 30 January 2013, coming on as a second-half substitute.[49]

2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

On 20 May 2013, Jiménez was named in the 23-man squas participating in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil,[50] and featured in all three group games for a combined 96 minutes. On 22 June, he was named in the starting eleven for the third match against Japan, being substituted off in the 90th minute for Javier Aquino in Mexico's 2–0 victory.[51]

2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Jimenez was the only squad member from the Confederations Cup to be included in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Mexican squad. Raul was a starter and played the entire 90' minutes for the 3 group stage matches against Panama, Martinique, and Canada, in which he managed to score once in the group stage and once in the Quarter final match against Trinidad and Tobago ending the match in a 1-0 win. Mexico finished in 3rd place after being beaten in the semi final against Panama 1-2.

2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Jiménez was included in the 2014 world cup qualifiers, his first match being against Honduras March 22, 2013 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras coming in for Giovani dos Santos in the 76' minute of the game. His first world cup qualifying goal was scored October 11, 2013 in the Estadio Azteca against Panama. Raul came into the match for Jesus Zavala in the 82' minute in which after 2' minutes he received a pass from Fernando Arce inside the 18-box Raul tried to control the ball but it bounced off his foot into the air in which Jimenez tried the bicycle kick and was successful, the ball hit the left post and went in breaking the tie and ending the game 2-1. the goal was very important if not the most important goal scored during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, also it was voted as the best goal of 2013 by CONCACAF.

2014 FIFA World Cup

In May 8, 2014 Raul Jiménez was included in Coach Miguel Herrera's final 23-man squad participating in the 2014 FIFA World Cup wearing the #9 jersey. He was in the bench and did not participate in Mexico's game opener against Cameroon. Jiménez made his World Cup debut June 17, 2014 Against host nation Brazil in the Castelão stadium he entered as a substitute for Giovani dos Santos in the 84' minute of the match. He played a more defensive role in this match by going into the 18-box and clearing the ball in several occasions most notably marking Marcelo and managed to take away the ball in the 18-box without giving away a penalty. He also managed to get one powerful shot on target in which Brazilian goalkeeper, Júlio César, managed to save, the match ended in a historical 0-0 tie for Mexico.

Style of play

Jiménez is known as a "supporting striker", or "second striker", rather than a regular goal-scorer, creating plays with former teammate Christian Benítez in manager Miguel Herrera's 5–3–2 system. His strengths are being able to pick a pass and provide assists to his teammates.

Career statistics

Club

As of 14 March 2015[52]
Club Season League Cup1 Continental2 Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
América 2011–12 182——182
2012–13 391420—4114
2013–14 351621223919
2014–15 44—0044
Total 9636412210239
Atlético Madrid 2014–15 1613010201
Total 1613010201
Career Total 11237713212240

1Includes the Copa MX, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. 2Includes the CONCACAF Champions League and UEFA Champions League.

International

As of 18 November 2014
Mexico national team
YearAppsGoals
2013 204
2014 72
Total 276

International goals

Scores and results list Mexico's goal tally first.[53]

Honours

Club

América
Atlético Madrid

International

Mexico U23

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Raúl Jiménez profile" (in Spanish). Atlético Madrid.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Mexico's breath of fresh air". FIFA. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Alcibvia, Rafael. "América 1-1 Morelia… Las Águilas se alejaron de la calificación" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  5. ↑ Alcivia, Rafael. "América 2-3 Puebla... Las Águilas se despidieron del Azteca con derrota" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  6. ↑ Garrido, José Maria. "Atlas 1-1 América... Húmedo empate en el Jalisco" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  7. ↑ Zamora, Jessica. "Tijuana 1-1 América... Con nueve, Xolos rescató empate ante el Águila" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  8. ↑ Malagón, Edgar. "América 2-0 Santos... Águilas abollan corona del Campeón" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  9. ↑ Montes, Jose Martín. "América 1-1 Morelia... Ninguno convence" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  10. ↑ Terán, Jose Manuel. "San Luis 1-2 América... 'Chucho' Benítez regresó y el Águila voló" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  11. ↑ Terán, Jose Manuel. "América 4-0 Pachuca... 'Chucho' destrozó las esperanzas tuzas" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Montes, Juan Martín. "América (3)1-2(2) Morelia... Clasificación dramática" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  13. ↑ Terán, Jose Manuel. "América 4-0 Atlante... Águilas de hierro" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Regresa América al triunfo y sin esforzarse vence 3-0 a Querétaro" (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  15. ↑ McCauley, Kevin. "Chivas Guadalajara vs. Club América, 2013 Super Clasico: Final score 0-2, Goats crumble". SB Nation. Retrieved 31 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Collazo, Jonathan. "América vuela otra vez ante Pumas, ahora en Liguilla" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  17. ↑ "América vence 2-1 a Monterrey y 'vuela' a la final del futbol mexicano" (in Spanish). CNN México. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  18. ↑ "¡América es Campeón de la Liga MX!". ClubAmérica.com.mx (in Spanish). Club América. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "América 3-0 Atlas: Las Águilas homenajearon con goles a 'Chucho' Benítez". Univision.com (in Spanish). Univision. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  20. ↑ Ruiz, Alberto (13 September 2013). "Santos freno el vueló del ave" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  21. ↑ McCauley, Kevin (5 October 2013). "Club America vs. Chivas Guadalajara: Final score 2-0, Raul Jimenez the Super Eagles' hero". SB Nation. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  22. ↑ "América 1-1 Tigres" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  23. ↑ Contreras Legaspi, Carlos (15 December 2013). "León, campeón del Apertura 2013". La Afición (in Spanish). Grupo Milenio. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  24. ↑ http://www.mediotiempo.com/ficha.php?id_partido=53431
  25. ↑ http://www.mediotiempo.com/ficha.php?id_partido=53435
  26. ↑ Raúl Jiménez Liga MX stats at Medio Tiempo.com (Spanish)
  27. ↑ http://yucatan.com.mx/deportes/futbol-internacional/raul-jimenez-suena-con-europa-luego-del-mundial
  28. ↑ http://www.goal.com/es-mx/news/4832/mercado-de-pases/2013/11/19/4419596/raúl-jiménez-pinta-para-alemania-y-holanda
  29. ↑ http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2014/833364.html
  30. ↑ http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/internacional/noticias/2014/07/31/prensa-lusa-volvio-a-colocar-a-raul-jimenez-en-el-porto
  31. ↑ http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/2139720/las-negociaciones-de-america-porto-por-raul-jimenez-estan-estancadas
  32. ↑ http://futbol.univision.com/article/2044442/2014-08-01/mexico/porto-insiste-en-raul-jimenez
  33. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/114/mexico/2014/07/09/4947485/report-raul-jimenez-to-join-reyes-herrera-at-porto
  34. ↑ http://www.ligamx.net/home/noticia.html?id=8232
  35. ↑ "Agreement with América for the transfer of Raúl Jiménez". Atlético Madrid. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  36. ↑ "El Atlético ficha a Raúl Jiménez" [Atlético signs Raúl Jiménez] (in Spanish). Marca. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  37. ↑ "Welcome Raúl Jiménez". Atlético Madrid. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  38. ↑ "Raúl Jiménez ganó primer titulo con el 'Atleti'" (in Spanish). Medio Tiempo. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  39. ↑ "Spanish Super Copa: Real Madrid and Atletico draw 1–1 in first leg". Sky Sports News. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  40. ↑ Gomez, Eric. "Mexico U23 4-2 Netherlands U23: El Tri, Fabian make Toulon history". Goal.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  41. ↑ Gomez, Eric. "Mexico U23 3-0 Turkey U23: El Tri win their first Toulon tournament". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "Convocatoria de la Selección Mexicana para Juegos Olimpicos". (In Spanish) Mi Seleccion. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  43. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/stories/18911187
  44. ↑ "Mexico vs. Switzerland". London 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  45. ↑ "Mexico vs. Senegal". London 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  46. ↑ "Mexico vs. Japan". London 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  47. ↑ "Mexico vs. Brazil". London 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  48. ↑ Borden, Sam. "Mexico Has Its Moment in Upset Over Brazil". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  49. ↑ http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/01/31/mexico-and-denmark-play-to-1-1-draw-in-exhibition-match/
  50. ↑ "Convocatoria de la Selección Mayor" (in Spanish). Femexfut. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  51. ↑ "Japan 1 Mexico 2: Hernandez heads home twice before shocking late miss as both teams bow out of Confederations Cup". Daily Mail. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
  52. ↑ "Raúl Jiménez stats". ESPN FC.
  53. ↑ "Raul Jimenez - International goals". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 12 January 2015.

External links