Raul Jimenez was recalled to the Mexico squad this international break, following a period of nearly a year out of the squad.

Meet our squad list for our upcoming matches in Puebla and Guadalajara. 📋🇲🇽⚽️#PorMéxicoTodo pic.twitter.com/hhcsLNlLod

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) October 1, 2024

The striker has undergone a few underwhelming seasons, understandably, after suffering a severe head injury while playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers. In that period, he’d gone from one of the best centre-forwards in the Premier League, to a back up option for Fulham.

However, things have turned around for Jimenez since the start of the new campaign, culminating in his first start for his national team in 2024 last night.

Why Did Jimenez Get Recalled for Mexico?

The Mexican didn’t turn many heads last season, with many Fulham fans left baffled as to how their hierarchy thought he was an acceptable replacement for Aleksandr Mitrovic. However, this year has been a different story, with many fans of the Cottagers left eating their own words.

Jimenez has been red-hot, contributing to a goal in every single Premier League match he’s appeared in so far. Despite playing second fiddle to Rodrigo Muniz in the opening fixtures, Jimenez has found his way back into the Cottagers’ XI.

He notched goals against West Ham and Newcastle, demonstrating his new-found confidence this season. He also provided a gorgeous assist for Andreas Periera, who scored a worldie for Brazil yesterday, in Fulham’s 3-2 loss to Manchester City.

🇲🇽🪄 This assist from Raul Jimenez (33) is absolutely beautiful... 😍 pic.twitter.com/6MDksfWg1p

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 5, 2024

It’s safe to say the 33-year-old has found new life playing under Marco Silva, and definitely deserved his call up for Mexico.

How Did Jimenez Play for Mexico

Because of his scintillating form so far this campaign, it was no surprise to see Jimenez starting for Mexico against the USA last night. He took on current teammate Antonee Robinson, as well as former teammate Tim Ream.

Jimenez left an impression that won’t be forgotten by Javier Aguirre. As Mexico won a freekick from around 25 yards out, the striker put himself forward to take the dead ball, and fans of El Tri will be glad he did. Jimenez dispatched the cleanest of strikes, and rattled the aforementioned freekick into the top right corner, brushing Matt Turner’s post before nestling in the back of the net.

Poetry in motion https://t.co/p1OrIPBNPb pic.twitter.com/LkV8YbhTsk

— Mexican National Team (@miseleccionmxEN) October 16, 2024

That wasn’t Jimenez’ only contribution of the night, with the forward also earning himself an assist. He was dispossessed in a dangerous area by Tim Ream, and it appeared the chance had slipped away from the veteran, but he never gave up. He launched an ambitious sliding challenge on his former teammate, which was successful and found Cesar Huerta in the eighteen yard box.

Huerta finished with aplomb, giving Jimenez a well deserved assist to cap off his man of the match display against the USA, along with securing his nation a 2-0 victory.