Feyenoord’s Giménez among Europe’s top under-23 goalscorers

Feyenoord’s Mexican striker Santiago Giménez is among the highest-scoring under-23 players in Europe this calendar year.

Giménez in double figures in 2023

Giménez, who is enjoying an impressive first season in European soccer, has netted 11 times in all competitions for the Dutch club in 2023.

That places the 21-year-old fourth on the list of the continent’s leading marksmen under the age of 23. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who has bagged 15 goals for the Premier League champions since the turn of the year, leads the way.

Striker attracting suitors

Giménez, who joined Feyenoord from Cruz Azul in July 2022, has scored 17 times in 36 appearances this season for the Eredivisie leaders.

His goal return includes five in the Europa League - just one fewer than the competition’s top scorer, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.

Giménez’s fine form this term has led a number of clubs to show an interest in signing him this summer, but Feyenoord are adamant that they want to keep hold of the Mexico international for at least another year.

The 15-time Dutch champions, who are eight points clear of Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie, face RKC Waalwijk in the league on Sunday.

Giménez on target as fan trouble spoils Ajax cup clash

Arne Slot’s men were beaten by Ajax in the Dutch Cup semi-finals on Wednesday - despite a first-half goal by Giménez - in a game marred by an incident that saw Amsterdam midfielder Davey Klaasen hit on the head by a lighter thrown from the stands.

With Klaasen bleeding profusely, the game at the De Kuip stadium was halted for half an hour.