Honestly, if you watched Raúl Jiménez walk off the pitch a couple of years ago, you might’ve thought the "Lobo de Tepeji" was done. It wasn't just the physical recovery from that terrifying skull fracture in 2020; it was the mental grind of rediscovering a killer instinct that seemed to have vanished. But then 2024 and 2025 happened. If you’re looking for a gol de Raúl Jiménez today, you aren't looking for a "pity goal." You’re looking at a guy who is genuinely a top-tier Premier League striker again.
He’s currently sitting on a stack of records that seemed impossible just a few seasons back. On January 5, 2025, Jiménez did something most thought was reserved for Javier "Chicharito" Hernández. By slotting a pair of penalties against Ipswich Town, he hit his 55th Premier League goal. That made him the highest-scoring Mexican in the history of the English top flight. Chicharito’s mark of 53 goals had stood for years, but Jiménez didn’t just break it—he’s currently padding that lead every other week.
The Strike Against Chelsea: A 2026 Masterclass
Let's talk about the most recent magic. On January 7, 2026, Fulham faced Chelsea at Craven Cottage. The game was tight. Defensive. Kinda boring, if we’re being real. Then, in the 55th minute, it happened. A high, hanging ball from Berge found Jiménez in the box.
He didn't just head it; he timed the jump with that vintage verticality we used to see at Wolves. Robert Sánchez stood no chance. The ball tucked into the right corner, and the Cottage erupted. It wasn't just a goal; it was the match-winner in a 2-1 victory. He celebrated with this "flying jet" jump that looked like a man who’s completely forgotten he ever had a career-threatening injury.
👉 See also: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
Jiménez is currently enjoying a Renaissance under Marco Silva. In the current 2025/2026 season, he’s already notched 5 goals and 3 assists in about 20 matches. It's not just the volume, though. It’s the variety. We’re seeing:
- Clinical Headers: Like the one that sank Chelsea.
- Ice-Cold Penalties: He’s still one of the best in the world from the spot, rarely even looking at the ball before it hits the net.
- The "Unexpected" Skill: Remember that backheeled assist against Manchester City in late 2024? That’s a player with sky-high confidence.
Why the Gol de Raúl Jiménez Matters for Mexico
If you’re a fan of El Tri, the last few years have been... stressful. But October 2024 felt like a turning point. Mexico played the United States in Guadalajara. For years, the U.S. had a stranglehold on that rivalry. Then Raúl stepped up to a free kick in the 22nd minute.
Normally, a guy his size stays in the box to head the ball. Not this time. He unleashed a strike that was so powerful and well-placed it didn't matter that it went to the goalkeeper’s side. It was his first international goal in over a year, and it was arguably his best since that legendary bicycle kick against Panama in 2013.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Later in that same game, he showed he wasn't just a poacher. He chased down a ball, won a duel with a defender, and slid a pass to "Chino" Huerta for the second goal. He proved he’s the undisputed leader of the Mexican frontline heading toward the 2026 World Cup.
The Evolution of the "Lobo"
It’s interesting to see how his game has changed. He isn't just sprinting behind lines anymore. He’s evolved into a playmaker-striker hybrid.
Basically, he’s dropped deeper. He links play. He wins aerial duels—winning about 84% of them lately—and then sets up the wingers.
The stats from the 2024/25 season were actually better than people realized. He played in every single fixture except one. He scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists across that campaign. When Fulham bought him for about €6.4 million from Wolves, the media called it a gamble. Now? It looks like the steal of the decade.
🔗 Read more: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
The Road to the 2026 World Cup
So, what’s next? Raúl is 34 now, but he’s playing with the legs of a 28-year-old. His latest goal against Nottingham Forest on December 22, 2025, showed he’s still the master of the "wait-for-the-keeper-to-blink" penalty. He’s closing in on 100 goals for his European clubs combined (he's currently at 96 for Fulham, Wolves, Benfica, and Atletico).
For Mexico, the goal is simple: keep him healthy. He is currently the active leading scorer for the national team with 44 goals. Every time a gol de Raúl Jiménez hits the back of the net in the Premier League, a whole nation breathes a sigh of relief. It means their captain is ready.
If you want to keep track of his progress, watch Fulham's upcoming matches against Leeds and Middlesbrough. He’s currently averaging a goal involvement every 160 minutes or so. That’s elite level.
To stay updated on Raúl's path to the World Cup, monitor the Premier League "Top Scorers" charts and the official Mexican National Team injury reports. Watching his movement off the ball in full-match replays is the best way to see the "hidden" work he does that doesn't always show up on a highlight reel.