Raúl Jiménez has worn a custom protective head guard for five years after a fractured skull and life-threatening brain injury in a 2020 Premier League collision with David Luiz. As Mexico opens the 2026 World Cup against South Africa with a 2-0 win and Jiménez
When Raúl Jiménez walked onto the World Cup field, he did it in the same one piece of gear that has followed him for half a decade: a black head guard meant to protect his brain.
In Mexico City, the same week has drawn another kind of attention. Thousands of residents have been using the World Cup event in the capital to protest what they say is corruption in the Mexican government. Under the glow of the iconic green jerseys. the message in the streets has been fierce—while on the pitch. Jiménez’s head guard tells a different story of what injury can change. and what he refused to lose.
Jiménez has been wearing the custom. medically approved protective head guard for the past five years. and he plans to keep wearing it for the remainder of his career. The decision goes back to November 29. 2020. when he suffered a catastrophic head injury while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Premier League match against Arsenal.
During that game, Jiménez clashed head-on with Arsenal defender David Luiz. He was knocked unconscious and rushed immediately to St. Mary’s hospital in London for emergency medical care. The collision resulted in a fractured skull and a fatal brain injury that almost ended his life.
Eight months later, Jiménez returned to the pitch in August 2021.
Now, in Mexico’s 2026 World Cup opener against South Africa, the moment arrived again. The 35-year-old striker scored his first World Cup goal in the match, finding the net in the 67th minute. He was a few feet from goal when he headed the ball past South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after getting on the end of a perfect cross from Roberto Alvarado. Mexico won 2-0.
Before Thursday’s game, Jiménez had played for Mexico at each of the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments but had never logged a goal in World Cup appearances.
That history makes his opening-week mark hit harder. Jiménez began his international career in 2013 and has 45 career goals for the national team. The head guard he wears now is not a fashion choice—it is the equipment of a player who came back from an injury that nearly ended everything.
The World Cup week also has a second, louder backdrop: residents in Mexico City who see the event as a platform. The protest movement, focused on corruption in the Mexican government, has layered frustration onto an already high-pressure tournament environment.
The schedules and rosters keep moving regardless. Mexico’s 2026 World Cup group matches include June 11 vs. South Africa at Mexico City Stadium, June 18 vs. Korea at Guadalajara Stadium, and June 24 vs. Czechia back at Mexico City Stadium.
Mexico has never won the World Cup. Its best-ever finishes were quarterfinal runs in 1970 and 1986—both tournaments hosted by Mexico.
For the 2026 tournament, Mexico’s roster lists:
Goalkeepers: Raul Rangel (Chivas). Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna). Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol)
Defenders: Israel Reyes (Club América). Jesús Gallardo (Toluca). Jorge Sánchez (PAOK). César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow). Johan Vásquez (Genoa). Mateo Chávez (PSV)
Midfielders: Erik Lira (Cruz Azul). Luis Romo (Chivas). Obed Vargas (Atlético Madrid). Brian Gutiérrez (Chivas). Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens). Edson Álvarez (Fenerbahçe). Gilberto Mora (Club Tijuana). César Huerta (Anderlecht). Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis). Luis Chávez (Dynamo Moscow)
Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Chivas). Alexis Vega (Toluca). Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah). Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan). Guillermo Martínez (Pumas). Armando González (Chivas). Raúl Jiménez (Fulham).
Raúl Jiménez head guard 2020 injury David Luiz Wolverhampton Wanderers Arsenal 2026 World Cup Mexico South Africa Mexico City protests corruption Ronwen Williams Roberto Alvarado FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule