Mexico’s emotional and historic first-ever Concacaf Nations League title had a familiar hero at its heart—one many thought would never shine again at this level: Raúl Jiménez.
The Fulham striker was the undisputed star of the Final Four, scoring all four of Mexico’s goals: two in the semifinal win over the United States and two more in the dramatic final against Panama, earning him Player of the Match honors and making him the centerpiece of the celebration at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
“It feels great, I’m happy, excited,” Jiménez said after the final whistle. “This is a special group—players, coaches, staff. We all came here with one mission: to win this title. And we did it.”
At 33, Jiménez knows what it means to fight back. After a horrific skull fracture in 2020 while playing in the Premier League, his career was marked by doubt, recovery, and relentless effort. But on Sunday night in Los Angeles, Raúl made it clear—he’s back.
“It’s been hard. But this is the result of years of work and sacrifice,” he said, visibly emotional. “To be back here and doing important things again—it means everything.”
A shift in mentality
Beyond his goals, Jiménez praised the cultural transformation under manager Javier “Vasco” Aguirre, now in his third spell leading El Tri. “There’s been a real change in mentality. From the players, from the coaching staff. We want to represent Mexico with pride at home and make history in the next World Cup,” he added.
The Nations League trophy isn’t just silverware—it’s a statement. With Mexico set to host the 2026 World Cup, Jiménez knows what’s at stake. “We’ve got a year and a bit left, but we’re building something strong. We want to play the right way: attack when we must, defend every ball like our life depends on it.”
More than goals: redemption
Absolute legend! Raul Jimenez! 
— Manny Singh Kang (@pedalsingh) March 24, 2025
From near death to two goals in the final and player of the tournament!
So so pleased for him 
pic.twitter.com/300uF7Udln
Jiménez wasn’t just the top scorer—he was a symbol of leadership and perseverance. This title closed a personal chapter marked by uncertainty. “For me, this trophy tastes different. It’s about effort, patience, and not giving up,” he said.
Trust from Aguirre played a key role. The veteran coach, who had previously worked with Jiménez early in his national team career, believed in his maturity and experience—and Raúl repaid that faith in full.
At a time when younger stars are emerging, Jiménez showed he’s still essential. “This jersey will always motivate me. As long as they call me, I’ll give it my all. Today, we showed that Mexico is capable of big things.”
With this standout performance, Raúl Jiménez not only claimed the Final Four’s scoring crown, but also made peace with his past, reconnected with fans, and proved—above all—to himself that his story isn’t over.
