Why Mexico's Raul Jimenez Is Wearing A Black Head Guard At The 2026 FIFA World Cup
Why Mexico's Raul Jimenez Is Wearing A Black Head Guard At The 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 06:03 IST
Why Mexico's Raul Jimenez Is Wearing A Black Head Guard At The 2026 FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: June 12, 2026, 06:03 IST Five years after a life-threatening skull fracture nearly ended his career, Raúl Jiménez scored his first World Cup goal for Mexico and completed a remarkable comeback story. Rapid Read Mexico's Raul Jimenez at the FIFA World Cup 2026 (AP) Mexico’s players may all be wearing the country’s iconic green jerseys at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but one man stands out immediately. Every time Raúl Jiménez takes the field, he does so wearing a custom black protective head guard — a permanent reminder of the injury that nearly cost him his life. The Collision That Changed Everything On November 29, 2020, while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, Jiménez suffered one of the most horrific injuries seen in modern football.
The Mexican striker collided head-on with Arsenal defender David Luiz during a league match and was knocked unconscious instantly. Jiménez was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment after suffering a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. The injury was so severe that doctors feared not only for his career but for his survival. “It was like a miracle to be there," Jiménez later told The Guardian. “(There was) the skull fracture, the bone broke and there was a little bit of bleeding inside the brain. It was pushing my brain to the inside and that is why the surgery had to be quick. It was a really good job by the doctors." A Miracle Return The road back was long and uncertain. Jiménez spent eight months recovering before returning to professional football in August 2021. During that period, doctors warned him that retirement was a real possibility.
“Since the first moment, the doctors told me the risks," he recalled. “The skull fracture did take a little longer than we all expected to heal, but it is a miracle to be here." Since then, the 35-year-old has worn a medically approved protective head guard and plans to continue doing so for the remainder of his career. A World Cup Moment Worth Waiting For Against South Africa in Mexico’s opening match of the 2026 World Cup, Jiménez finally enjoyed a moment he had waited his entire career for. In the 67th minute, he met a pinpoint cross from Roberto Alvarado and powered a header beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from close range. The goal helped Mexico secure a 2-0 victory — and marked Jiménez’s first-ever World Cup goal despite appearances at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas.
His... Read More First Published: June 12, 2026, 06:03 IST News sports football Why Mexico's Raul Jimenez Is Wearing A Black Head Guard At The 2026 FIFA World Cup Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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