Raul Jimenez is a Mexican footballer who plays as a forward both for the Mexican national team and for the Portuguese club Benfica.
Before he became a member of the Mexican national team in 2013, he was part of the Mexican U-23 squad that represented their nation at the 2012 London Olympics.
The skilled striker began his career with Club America and made his professional debut during the Apertura tournament when he played in the match against Monarcas Morelia. He emerged as the team’s second-highest goalscorer and soon clubs came knocking. In 2014, he was sold to Spanish club – Atletico Madrid (the reigning champion at the time), after one season with the club, he was again sold, this time to Portuguese club Benfica.
Raul Jimenez Bio
Raul was born in the city of Tepeji in Hidalgo, Mexico, on the 5th day of May 1991 as Raúl Alonso Jiménez Rodríguez. His father is Raúl Jiménez Vega and his mother is Martha Rodríguez. Raul also has a sister who goes by the name Miranda Jiménez. There isn’t any available information about his educational background, early life, or what his parents do for a living.
Club Career
Jimenez began his career playing in Club América’s youth system which saw him as a promising striker. He would later make his first professional debut in 2011 in a match against Monarcas Morelia during the Apertura tournament.
His first professional goal came in the match against Puebla which ended a 2–3 loss, he scored in the 2nd minute of the match. This was his only goal in his debut tournament. The following year, Raul was benched until the 7th week of the tournament when he was substituted for Christian Bermúdez in the match against Atlas that ended in a 1–1 draw.
His first goal in the tournament came in the match against Tijuana, that goal was, unfortunately, the only goal the team scored in the match that ended in a 1–1 draw. The goal also turned out to be Jimenez’s only goal in the tournament.
In 2012, he was listed as part of the Mexican U-23 squad that represented Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics. At his return from the Olympics, he was named among the squad for the 2012 Apertura tournament. At the tournament, he played as a second striker alongside Christian Benítez.
In the 2013 Clausura tournament, he played as a starter in the first two league matches. His first goal came in the 4-0 victory match against Atlante. His second and third goals came in the match against Guadalajara which ended in a 2-0 victory. At the end of the regular stage of the tournament, Raul Jimenez had scored a total of eight goals.
América recorded a 1–0 away win in the first leg of the quarter-final series of the playoffs. In the second leg of the semi-final series against Monterrey, Raul scored from a penalty helping the team win 2–1 (4–3 on aggregate), which sent them to the finals against Cruz Azul, whom they beat to emerge as the league champions of that year.
Raul Jimenez’ career with Club América continued until August 2014, when Spanish club Atlético Madrid paid €11 million in a six years contract for him. His first match was in the Ramón de Carranza Trophy pre-season tournament finals against Sampdoria. Jimenez made his La Liga debut in August 2014, in a match against Rayo Vallecano, which ended in a goalless draw.
His first league goal and only goal for Atlético that season would later come in September, in a 4–0 win against Sevilla.
In August 2015, Jimenez joined Portuguese champions Benfica in a five-year deal. Benfica reportedly spent €9.836 million to bring Raul to the club, this included agent’s fees signing-on fees, and the transfer fee itself.
International Career
Jimenez was enlisted in the Mexican national team in 2013 but before then, he was part of the Mexican U-23 squad that represented Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics.
He made his debut for the senior national team in January 2013, in a 1–1 draw against Denmark. He was part of Mexico’s 23-man squad for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was also part of Miguel Herrera’s final 23-man team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil. Jiménez was also named among the preliminary 28-man squad to represent Mexico at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Raul Jimenez Family
Jimenez is not known to be married or to have any kids. He seems to also be a very private person as there is almost nothing about his private life online. However, he was recently linked to one Daniela Basso, though the authenticity of the claims can’t be guaranteed as it has not been confirmed by the star or the lady in question.
Height, Weight, Body Measurements
The Mexican international stands at 6″2, which is 1.88 in meters. He weighs 76kg (168 lbs). His other body measurements are not known.
