MEXICO NATIONAL TEAM
What did Feyenoord striker Santi Giménez say about Mexico’s chances of winning the FIFA World Cup?
The former Cruz Azul youngster is one Europe’s most prolific goalscorers and should feature in friendlies against Ghana and Germany.
Santi Giménez is undoubtedly one of the Mexican national team’s star men at present and should be a key figure for El Tri at World Cup 2026, to be played in the Mexico, the United States and Canada. The Feyenoord striker has echoed previous comments made by Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, the country’s all-time top scorer, and has no doubt that Mexico should be aiming to compete against the very best.
Giménez follows “Chicharito” Hernández’s lead
Speaking to the national team’s social media team, Giménez revealed spirits were high among the current crop of players. “It’s a new era for us, all the players and staff seem totally committed to building something together. Everyone knows it’s an opportunity to show what Mexico is all about. We want to take our country to the very top and we have to demonstrate that on a daily basis.
“As a group, we have to take responsibility. We have a whole country behind us and we have to give our all. As “Chicharito” said, ‘you have to imagine cool things’ and what I imagine is Mexico lifting the World Cup trophy,” said the 22-year-old.
Giménez finds his feet in Europe with Feyenoord
Giménez also discussed how he has adapted to life in Europe and the Netherlands, revealing that leaving his parents behind in Mexico was one of his toughest challenges after crossing the pond. However, the former Cruz Azul youngster was keen to stress the role Feyenoord fans have played in helping him settle in.
The Mexican, who helped the Rotterdam club win the league title last season, has been one of the most in-form strikers in Europe in 2023-24, scoring 12 goals in his first eight appearances in this year’s Eredivisie, including a hat-trick against Ajax.
When are Mexico playing in the October international break?
After being defeated by the USMNT in the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals in June, a result which cost Diego Cocca his job, El Tri have lost only one of their subsequent nine matches and won the 2023 Gold Cup in July. Jaime Lozano’s team play friendly games against Ghana (Saturday 14 October, 8:30 p.m ET) and Germany (Tuesday 17 October, 8:30 p.m ET) in Charlotte and Philadelphia respectively.