Saved from Death: Why Is Jiménez Wearing a Headband?

The explanation: Mexico’s 2-0 scorer was seriously injured in 2020 in the Premier League

Raúl Jiménez is the biggest star on Mexico’s national team, there is no doubt about that. The striker, who tore up defenses in England, came to the World Cup as the host nation’s starting forward and in the 67th minute scored Mexico’s second goal in the World Cup on the way to a 2-0 win over South Africa.

Millions of viewers around the world surely wondered, why does the Mexican striker wear a headband with the word “Mexico” on it? In fact, the leading third-highest scorer in Mexico’s history was close to death in 2020 during a Premier League match, when he suffered a horrific blow that caused a skull fracture. As a result, he was sidelined for nine months.

“From the beginning, the surgeons and doctors told me what happened and what risks I had faced,” he shared in 2021. “They told me it was a miracle that I am still here. The skull bone broke, and the injury caused bleeding in my brain.”

Wolves accompanied and supported him throughout, and Jiménez got back on track after narrowly avoiding tragedy. After recovering and getting back on his feet, he put together several consecutive seasons in the Premier League. Next year he will return to Wolves, which were relegated to the Championship, after three seasons with Fulham.

The special headband allows him to protect his skull. The goal was his 46th for the national team in 128 appearances for Mexico. That makes him the ninth-most capped player in Mexico’s national team history.