Why Santi Giménez’s struggle could open the door to an unexpected contender

Santiago Giménez’s return to the field after ankle surgery late last year has fallen far short of the fairytale AC Milan fans had hoped for. After months on the sidelines, the Mexican striker has begun to see minutes again in April, but a lack of rhythm and technical inconsistency have become his biggest obstacles.

In the latest game against Hellas Verona, Giménez played 27 minutes, and the numbers paint a clear picture of his current form: just 11 touches and only one duel won out of eight contested. With a 6.2 rating, “Bebote” still looks far removed from the lethal version that earned him his move to San Siro – a situation that is raising concerns both in Italy’s fashion capital and within the Mexican national team setup.

The battle for the No. 9 spot

Time is not on Santiago’s side. With less than two months until the World Cup, the fight for the starting striker role with Mexico is heating up. Head coach Javier Aguirre faces both a dilemma and mounting pressure regarding the Milan forward.

Raúl Jiménez has rediscovered his form, and his experience and leadership could ultimately tip the scales in his favor. Julián Quiñones offers versatility and tactical flexibility that Giménez does not currently provide. Meanwhile, Armando “Hormiga” González has emerged as the biggest threat – the young Chivas forward is enjoying an outstanding Liga MX season and is making a compelling case based on recent performances.

For Giménez, upcoming clashes against Juventus and Sassuolo will serve as final exams. If he cannot shake off the rust from surgery and reclaim a starting role at Milan, his status as Mexico’s undisputed attacking reference point for the World Cup could quickly fade in favor of players who are already in full rhythm.

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