Santiago Gimenez headed into the World Cup with a lot of confidence, despite the tough season with AC Milan, but he was dealt a pretty big blow immediately.
Mexico kick-started the big tournament with their game against South Africa last night. It was a rather comfortable game for them, winning 2-0, but the three red cards (!) handed out were certainly noteworthy.
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Sadly for Milan, Gimenez remained on the bench for the entire game as his namesake (almost) Raul Jimenez stepped up to the occasion. He scored the second goal and was also close on a few other occasions, cementing his spot in the starting eleven.
High hopes, but zero so far
The fact that Gimenez didn’t even get a single minute can only be described as a blow, especially since he has been rather optimistic about the tournament as a whole. He jokingly said that he would be ‘top scorer’ a few days ago and has appeared to be in good spirits.
Mexico’s next game is against South Korea and it remains to be seen if Milan’s striker will get some playing time in that one. Another game with zero minutes would be devastating, to say the least, both for the player and for the Rossoneri (as a sale might beckon, they want his price tag to go up).
Shame he didn’t get minutes but leading goalscorers have come out of nowhere in world cups.
Of course many have also then struggled to have good club seasons afterwards!
But cue the oh-so-confident dismissals and insults.
Gimenez: “i will be the top scorer of 2026 world cup.”
after opening match
Gimenez: “the hell, i am fit, but i don’t play. I am benchwarmer.”
and here i was hoping for him to play and do a well so we could sell him and at least break even.
It is just one game but the fact that the other forward (the young kid) was ahead of him coming of the bench is a bad sign. Santi is the coach’s 3rd option. a lot can happen in a WC but it isnt looking good
Jimenez was great.
Agree. Bad sign that they brought on the 17 y old instead of Gimenez.
Sigh.
What a joke, Gimenez ended the season with zero goals…zero!! No goals and terrible play. I’m not surprised he didn’t play.