Santiago Giménez equals record set by Chicharito and Luis García
The Cruz Azul youth team product continues to enjoy an impressive campaign in Europe, where he has reached 20 goals.
After being the man who Cruz Azul looked to for goals, striker Santiago Giménez finally fulfilled his dream and made the leap to European football to play for Dutch side Feyenoord. There were doubts about the Mexican striker when he first arrived, but he has been able to show his quality. This weekend, against Utrecht he scored his 20th goal of the season.
Since the start of the campaign, the former Máquina forward has scored 12 league goals, as well as three goals in the Dutch Cup (KNVB Beker) and closed his participation in the Europa League with five goals to take his tally so far to 20. With it, Bebote becomes one of the most successful Mexican players in their debut season in Europe.
Giménez has now equalled the record held by Javier Hernández, who scored 20 goals during the 2010-2011 campaign with Manchester United , managed by Sir Alex Ferguson. Luis García also finished on 20 goals in the first of two seasons with Atlético Madrid in the early 90s.
Santiago Giménez is the third Mexican to score 20 goals during his first season in European soccer and will have the chance to add to his figure in the next four games of the Eredivisie. Feyenoord’s rivals between now and the end of the season are Excelsior, Go Ahead Eagles, Emmen and Vitesse. Giménez’s great form has not gone unnoticed by Mexico coach Diego Cocca, who will have him in mind for this summer’s tournaments -the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup.