Raúl Jiménez Scores with Headband at 2026 World Cup Opener
Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez, 35, scored the decisive goal in Mexico’s 2-0 World Cup opening win over South Africa at Azteca Stadium, wearing a protective headband due to a 2020 skull fracture and brain hemorrhage suffered in a Premier League collision. The match featured three red cards. Jiménez, Mexico’s third-highest all-time scorer, has worn the headgear since his miraculous recovery.
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Raul Jimenez Scores First World Cup Goal, Wears Headband After Near-Fatal Injury
At 35, Mexican striker Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal on June 11, 2026, during Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa in the tournament's opening match at Azteca Stadium. Jimenez broke down in tears after the goal, nearly six years after a violent head collision with Arsenal's David Luiz in November 2020 caused a skull fracture and life-threatening brain injury. He has since worn a protective headband, which he continues to use despite having short hair. The goal made him the second-highest scorer in Mexico's history (46 goals), tied with Jared Borgetti and behind Javier Hernandez (52). Jimenez also paid tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in 2025, and to his father Raul Jimenez Vega, who died in March 2026. Coach Javier Aguirre gave Jimenez his first World Cup start, saying he deserved it.
Home Football - actualitésRaul Jimenez's Emotional World Cup Goal Caps Comeback from Near-Death Injury
Mexico striker Raul Jimenez scored his first World Cup goal in a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the 2026 World Cup opener at Azteca Stadium, completing a remarkable comeback from a fractured skull suffered in November 2020. The 35-year-old, who had previously made six substitute appearances in World Cups, started for the first time and powered in a header in the 67th minute. He was overcome with emotion, pointing to the sky in tribute to his late father. Jimenez's goal was his 46th for Mexico, moving him joint second on the all-time list. The match also featured three red cards. Jimenez recently returned to former club Wolves from Fulham.
BBC SportRaul Jimenez's Remarkable World Cup Comeback from Near-Death Injury
Raul Jimenez, the Mexican striker, has completed a remarkable comeback from a life-threatening head injury suffered while playing for Wolves in 2020. After fracturing his skull, he required surgery and now wears a reinforced headband for protection. Despite medical concerns and doubts about his form, Jimenez scored for Mexico at the 2022 World Cup, a moment his former assistant coach Rubio described as fully deserved. Rubio praised Jimenez's resilience, humility, and family support, noting that the whole Wolves club was invested in his recovery. Jimenez has scored 68 Premier League goals in 233 appearances. Mexico is in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds, giving Jimenez further chances to add to his World Cup tally.
BBC SportRaul Jimenez's Emotional World Cup Goal Caps Comeback from Near-Death Injury
Raul Jimenez, the 35-year-old Mexico striker, scored his first World Cup goal in a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in the 2026 World Cup opener. The goal marked a remarkable comeback from a life-threatening head injury in November 2020, when a clash with Arsenal's David Luiz left him with a fractured skull and unconscious on the pitch. Jimenez, who had previously made six substitute appearances in World Cups, started for the first time and powered in a header in the 67th minute. He celebrated emotionally, pointing to the sky in tribute to his late father. The match also featured three red cards. Jimenez recently returned to former club Wolves from Fulham. His goal moved him to joint second on Mexico's all-time scoring list with 46 goals, behind Javier Hernandez.
BBC SportRaul Jimenez Scores First World Cup Goal with Head While Wearing Protective Headband
Mexican footballer Raul Jimenez, who suffered a serious head injury in November 2020 following a collision on the field, has since worn a protective headband. In a remarkable turn of events, he scored his first World Cup goal using his head, highlighting his recovery and resilience. The goal underscores the significance of his protective gear and his return to top form on football's biggest stage.
kicker Fußball NewsHead Protection Recalls Toughest Fight: The Dramatic Story of World Cup Hero Raúl Jiménez
Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez scored the decisive 2-0 goal in the 2026 World Cup opening match against South Africa at Azteca Stadium, celebrating emotionally while wearing a protective headband. The article recounts his near-fatal skull fracture and brain hemorrhage suffered in November 2020 during a Premier League match between Wolverhampton and Arsenal, when he collided with David Luiz. Jiménez underwent emergency surgery and was told his survival was a miracle. After nine months of recovery, he returned to play with a padded headband. The match itself was historic for three red cards—South Africa's Sithole and Zwane, and Mexico's Montes—the first time an opening match saw three send-offs. Jiménez will return to Wolverhampton next season after leaving Fulham.
BILD - SportWhy Mexico's Raúl Jiménez Wears a Protective Headband at the 2026 World Cup
The article explains why Mexican striker Raúl Jiménez wears a black headband with a protective pad during the 2026 World Cup. The accessory is a result of a life-threatening collision with David Luiz in a Premier League match in November 2020, which caused a skull fracture and brain injury requiring emergency surgery. Jiménez recovered and has worn the headband since his comeback in August 2021 to protect his scar. The article also covers Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa in the World Cup opener, where Jiménez scored the decisive second goal in the 67th minute. The match featured three red cards, including one for South Africa's Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, and Mexico's Cesar Montes.
Nachrichten - WELTWhy Mexico striker Raul Jimenez is wearing custom headband at World Cup
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez will wear a custom black headguard throughout the 2026 World Cup this summer. He wore the same protective headgear during Mexico's World Cup opener against South Africa, a device he has used consistently for the past five years. The headband is worn for medical reasons, likely related to a previous skull fracture suffered in 2020 while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The article, published by Yardbarker Soccer on June 11, 2026, highlights the ongoing use of the protective gear as a safety measure during high-level competition.
Yardbarker: SoccerWhy Raul Jimenez Wears a Special Headband for Mexico at the World Cup
Mexican striker Raul Jimenez, 35, wears a protective headband during the World Cup opening match against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium due to a severe skull fracture he suffered in 2020 during a Premier League match. The collision caused a fractured skull and brain bleeding, sidelining him for nine months. Surgeons told him it was a miracle he survived. After recovering, he played several seasons in the Premier League, including three at Fulham, and will return to Wolverhampton, now relegated to the Championship. Jimenez is Mexico's third-highest all-time scorer with 45 goals and earned his 127th cap in this match, making him the 9th most-capped player in Mexican national team history.
Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continuRaul Jimenez's Journey from Life-Threatening Injury to World Cup Goal
This article chronicles the remarkable story of Mexican striker Raul Jimenez, who scored his first World Cup goal at age 35 in the 2026 tournament opener against South Africa. Nearly six years prior, Jimenez suffered a life-threatening skull fracture while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Arsenal, requiring emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. The article details the horrific collision with Arsenal's David Luiz, the immediate medical response that saved his life, and his subsequent return to professional football. Jimenez, now with 127 caps and 46 goals for Mexico, describes his presence at the World Cup as 'a miracle.' The piece highlights his perseverance from near-death to thriving at the highest level of the sport.
Soccer - The AthleticRaul Jimenez's Remarkable Journey: From Skull Fracture to World Cup Goal
Raul Jimenez, the 35-year-old Mexican striker, scored his first World Cup goal in the 2026 tournament opener against South Africa, six years after suffering a life-threatening skull fracture while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Arsenal. The article recounts the horrific injury in 2020, where a clash of heads with David Luiz left Jimenez unconscious and requiring emergency surgery to relieve brain pressure. Despite the odds, Jimenez recovered, returned to top-level football, and now leads Mexico's attack in their joint-home World Cup. He describes his presence at the tournament as a 'miracle.' The piece highlights his perseverance, the critical medical response that saved his life, and his emotional crowning achievement on the global stage.
Soccer - The Athletic