Raúl Jiménez came close to losing his life over four years ago, but after years of hard work, he has returned to being the striker who once amazed the world. It's certain that the player who brought joy back to Mexico after a long time hasn’t forgotten that fateful day on November 29, 2020.

At the time, the former América forward was playing for Wolverhampton when his life and career took an unexpected turn. During a match against Arsenal, a collision with Brazilian defender David Luiz left him with a life-threatening head injury.

The Shocking Incident

That night in London, the Wolves faced Arsenal, and during a corner kick, Jiménez went up for a header. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game was played behind closed doors, making the chilling sound of the impact echo through the empty stadium. Both players collapsed to the ground, but it was Jiménez who suffered the most.

The Mexican striker was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency skull surgery. He missed 41 matches and spent over 200 days away from the field. When he finally spoke about the incident, he revealed that he had no memory of the moments before and after the collision.

His recovery was gradual. He began gym work in January, increasing the intensity step by step until he was able to rejoin his teammates on the field in May 2021.

"If we hadn’t operated, he would have died," his wife recalled when sharing the life-or-death decision doctors had to make. The traumatic experience left a lasting impact not only on Jiménez but also on those closest to him.

Raúl Jiménez: The Hero of the Mexican National Team

After moving from Wolverhampton to Fulham, Jiménez rediscovered his best form — just when Mexico needed it the most. The national team had been facing one of its worst sporting and administrative crises.

Overcoming immense challenges, Jiménez emerged as the hero of the CONCACAF Nations League, scoring all four goals that led Mexico to the title. He netted a brace against Canada and repeated the feat against Panama in the final.

"It feels fantastic to be back after everything I’ve been through… You should never lose faith," Jiménez said, standing next to Thierry Henry during the CBS Sports broadcast.

The question now is whether Jiménez can maintain his form and reach the 2026 World Cup in peak condition. For now, he has brought joy back to Mexico, giving the nation a much-needed breath of fresh air. Yet, with the World Cup on the horizon — co-hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada — there is still a long road ahead to prove they are serious contenders.