Raúl Jiménez: Breaking Records, Flying The Flag & Embracing The Journey

Some players leave a mark on the game. Others redefine what’s possible. Raúl Jiménez is doing both. A trailblazer for Mexican footballers in England, the Fulham striker recently cemented his name in the history books as the highest-scoring Mexican in Premier League history—a feat honoured by Nike with a specially customised pair of Phantom GX 2 boots from the Mad Energy Pack. He's since backed that up with four goals in two games for his nation in the last few days, leading to them lifting the Concacaf Nations League trophy. But beyond the goals and accolades, Jiménez’s journey is one of resilience, cultural adaptation, and an unshakable connection to his roots.

From the streets of Tepeji del Río to the bright lights of London, his story is one of determination, sacrifice, and evolution. He’s lived in four different countries, swapped street football for the world’s biggest stadiums, and overcome challenges that would have ended many careers. But through it all, he’s remained true to who he is—both as a footballer and as a family man.

With records broken and new horizons ahead, we caught up with Jiménez to talk about life in England, his journey through the game, and what it means to represent Mexico at the highest level.

What’s it like being a Mexican living in England? How big of a cultural shift is it for you?

There are a lot of differences, for sure. London is a huge city, much like Mexico City where I’m from. But before moving here, I spent five years in Wolverhampton, which is much quieter, away from the hustle of big cities. Even in London, I live about an hour from the center, so it still has that peaceful feel.

I actually enjoy that side of life. I’m a homebody—I like being with my family, spending time at home, doing what we need to do. When I’m out, sometimes people recognize me, but most of the time I can just go about my day without much attention. It’s a nice balance.

Is that different from when you go back home to Mexico?

Oh, completely! In Mexico, if I step outside, I’ll be recognized instantly, and within minutes it turns into an impromptu meet-and-greet. It’s amazing, but it can be a bit overwhelming at times.

You’ve lived in Wolverhampton, London, Spain, and Portugal. Do you enjoy that opportunity to travel and experience new cultures through football?

Absolutely. Football has taken me to some incredible places. My first European experience was in Spain for a year, then three years in Lisbon, followed by my time in Wolverhampton. Each place has been unique, with its own culture and way of life.

I’ve loved embracing new experiences, especially with my wife and kids. We’ve adapted to different lifestyles, and we’re really enjoying this journey together.

Have you found favourite local spots for food or coffee?

Yeah, around our home, we’ve found some great little places for coffee and food. It’s funny, the longer we live here, the more British we become. I’ve actually developed a taste for English breakfast tea—with milk and sugar! When I go back to Mexico and ask for tea with milk, people just look at me like, “What are you talking about?”

I thought you were going to say a full English breakfast!

That too! But normally, I eat breakfast at home before training, so my mornings are pretty simple.

Thinking back to when you first started playing football in Mexico, what was that like? Can you paint a picture of those early days?

I grew up in Tepeji del Río, about an hour from Mexico City. It’s more countryside—lots of green spaces, parks, and open fields. My childhood was all about football. I’d knock on my friends’ doors, and we’d go straight outside to play.

We didn’t have proper goals—just two rocks as posts. If a car came down the street, we’d pause the game, move everything, let the car pass, and then keep playing. I also remember watching my dad play and seeing my older cousins on the pitch. I have this memory of being so frustrated because they wouldn’t let me play with them—I was too young, too small. That just made me want it even more.

So you always had to fight to play with the older kids? That must have made you better.

Yeah, for sure. I was always playing against bigger, stronger opponents—especially my cousins. That meant I had to work harder, think faster, and be better to keep up with them. It definitely helped shape me as a player.

"When I think back to myself as a kid, dreaming of playing in Europe, it’s surreal to see how far I’ve come. But it’s not just about me—I represent every young Mexican who dreams of making it abroad."

What does it mean to you knowing that your family and friends back home are so proud of your journey?

It means everything. My family has been a huge part of my career. When I was young, they all pitched in—who’s taking Raúl to training? Who’s picking him up from school and driving him to practice? It was a real team effort.

Without their support, I wouldn’t be here today. That’s why every time I step onto the pitch, I know I’m not just representing myself—I’m carrying my family and my country with me.

Now that the sun is finally out, does it feel a little closer to home?

Oh, we needed this! It’s been a long, cold winter, but that’s part of life in England. You learn to adapt.

It’s funny—when my family visits from Mexico, they see me wearing just a light jacket while they’re bundled up in layers. They say, “You’ve become British now!” I guess I have!

You’re breaking records here in England—how special does that feel?

It’s an incredible feeling. This is my seventh year in the UK, and I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved—helping my teams, scoring goals, and now becoming the highest-scoring Mexican in Premier League history.

It took longer than I wanted, especially with injuries—missing a whole year was tough—but I never gave up. Getting back to my best has been a journey, but one I’m proud of.

Representing Mexico in the Premier League, flying the flag for your country—how does that feel? 

It’s an amazing responsibility. When I think back to myself as a kid, dreaming of playing in Europe, it’s surreal to see how far I’ve come.

But it’s not just about me. I represent every young Mexican who dreams of making it abroad. I want to show that we are fighters, that we never back down, and that we can succeed at the highest level.

You surpassed Chicharito’s record—how did that feel?

It’s incredible to make an impact. Chicharito had a fantastic career at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. He helped open doors for Mexican players in England, and now there are more of us making our mark.

This season, we have Edson Álvarez at West Ham, Julián Araujo at Bournemouth—they’re doing really well. We’re all proud to be representing Mexico, even if the weather isn’t always on our side!

Do you guys help each other out?

Yeah, definitely. I talk with Edson a lot, especially since we both have young families—his kids are the same age as mine, so we relate a lot. And since he’s in London, we get to catch up more often.

Do your kids understand what you do?

Yeah, they’re almost five and almost three, so they know now. They come to the stadium, they cheer for me. They don’t like it when I have to travel for games, though. When I say, “I have to go to the hotel for the match tomorrow,” they tell me, “No, Dad, don’t go!” It’s tough, but it’s part of the job.

When you score, you don’t just make one person happy—you make 20,000 people happy all at once. Do you ever think about that feeling?

Yeah, that’s what makes football special. You go out there to give your best—for yourself, your family, and the fans. When you hear the crowd shouting your name, celebrating your goal, it’s an unbelievable feeling.

And even away from home, when the whole stadium is against you, there’s something special about silencing the crowd with a goal. I remember scoring the penalty against Manchester United recently—it was the loudest I’d ever heard a stadium before I took the shot. And then, when it hit the net, silence. That’s a feeling I’ll never forget.

Looking ahead, the World Cup is coming to Mexico. How does that feel?

I’ve played in three World Cups, but to have one in my own country would be something else. I’ll be 35, but age isn’t everything. I’d love to bring my experience to the team, help guide younger players, and contribute however I can.

You’ve already made history, but what’s next for Raúl Jiménez?

I’ve had an amazing career—played in great teams, achieved things I never imagined. I wouldn’t change a thing. I just want to keep going, enjoy every moment, and keep showing what Mexican players can do on the world stage.

Raúl Jiménez wears Nike Phantom GX II football boots, which you can shop at prodirectsport.com/soccer