Santiago Gimenez has stated that he thinks he will become the top scorer at the upcoming World Cup with Mexico.
It is not exactly the campaign that Gimenez would have wanted going into a home tournament with his national team. He failed to score a single league goal in 2025-26, having missed a large chunk due to an ankle surgery that he tried to play through but ultimately required surgery on.
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Now is the time for the former Feyenoord man to put his struggles behind him and shine on the biggest stage of all. That could convince the new Milan coach to bet on him, or it could also earn him a move to another club.
Gimenez spoke to Billboard Italia in an interview with rapper and Milan fan Ernia. He discussed the World Cup , his emotions at San Siro and his relationship with the fans, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
What is the story behind your ‘El Bebote’ nickname?
“The story behind my nickname is really funny. My family gave it to me because I was a really big baby. Bebote actually translates to ‘Big Baby’.
“A friend of my father’s, a television journalist, shouted, ‘Goal for El Bebote!’ when I scored my first goal in the first division. From that moment on, everyone, not just my family, started calling me that.”
A home World Cup awaits…
“It’s an incredible dream. I wish the World Cup could start tomorrow because I’m so excited. When you wear the national team jersey, you represent an entire country, so you have a huge responsibility, but at the same time, it’s a wonderful thing.
“I know that Mexico, with its people, is very strong at home. I’m convinced it will be a great World Cup. Mexico will win, and I’ll be the top scorer (laughs).”
You will play at the Azteca…
“Well, it’s an incredible stadium, it’s a dream to be able to play there. The first time I stepped onto the pitch there was with Cruz Azul at the beginning of my career. We won the Mexican championship there, and it was magical because it hadn’t happened in 23 years.
“It’s a bit like coming home for me; I’ll relive so many great moments. For me, the Azteca is the stadium with the most history in terms of national team competitions. It’s the third World Cup it’s hosted, and Pelé and Maradona became world champions there. It’s unique.”
What is your relationship with San Siro like?
“I think it’s one of the most important stadiums in the history of football. What makes it truly special, however, is the crowd. Milan fans support the team from the first to the ninetieth minute, and even before and after the match.
“I’ve been a Milan fan since I was a child, and playing in that stadium that I could only see on television means a lot to me. The fans have welcomed me with so much affection, and even though I haven’t performed as well as I would have liked, they continue to push me and have faith in me.
“Like a family.soccerWhat makes it truly special, however, is the crowd. Milan fans support the team from the first to the ninetieth minute, and even before and after the match. I’ve been a Milan fan since I was a child, and being able to play in that stadium that I could only see on television means a lot to me.
“The fans have welcomed me with so much affection, and even though I haven’t performed as well as I would have liked, they continue to push me and have faith in me. Like a family.”
Do you remember your first goal at San Siro?
“I’ll never forget it. I think it was against my former team, Feyenoord, in the Champions League, by the way. In fact, I remember feeling very intense and conflicting emotions.”
Which Milan player inspired you the most?
“I choose Kaká because I’ve admired him since I was a child and because we share a deep faith.”
You might face a Milan team-mate at the World Cup…
“I’ve always thought that the moment someone wears a different shirt than mine, they stop being my teammate. They become an opponent, an ‘enemy.’ It’s war. As a footballer, I experience it as a completely normal thing.”
There will be no Italy though…
“Not seeing Italy makes me very sad. I’m very fond of this country and its people. You won’t believe it, but I even have an Italian passport. I’m sure it will recover because, along with Brazil, it’s the home of football, and it’s very strange not to see it at the World Cup.”
Is there added pressure with the home Mexican fans?
“I’m not afraid of the public at all, on the contrary, I think I focus mostly on the people who love me, those who want to see me grow, and I believe it’s their opinion that counts.
“Those who speak and say negative things often don’t see the work you put in in training and how committed you are, so I try to ignore those comments. I listen to God, my family, and my friends, who, ultimately, are the ones who, more than anyone else, want me to be the best version of myself.
“They [critics] don’t see you in training and how hard you try, so I try to ignore those comments. I listen to God, my family, and my friends, who, ultimately, are the ones who most want me to be the best version of myself.”
Really cheering for him to score goals at the Wc. He needs the confidence
“Mexico will win, and I’ll be the top scorer (laughs).” Obviously, as shown by the laughs, he was being ironic. I don’t believe that he actually thinks that Mexico will win the Cup and he will be the tournament’s top scorer.
His tenure at AC Milan has been clearly underwhelming. I hope for his sake (he is a nice guy) that he proves us all wrong and performs wonderfully at the World Cup. But while I hope for this, I don’t think it is likely.
Very well said.
He is almost certain to be top goalscorer….
Milan should do nothing before the World Cup.
If he scores Milan have a striker for next season.
If he does not Milan should sell him (or, more likely, loan him for eternity and watch another career die whilst ‘fans’ salivate and hurl insults).
Forza El Bebote!
Were you be top scorer? Maybe at Football Manager.
Please sell this guy if some want buy him