Raul Jimenez becomes Premier League’s leading Mexican Goal Scorer

Fulham’s pulsating 2-2 home draw with Ipswich was entertaining enough in itself, seeing three penalties given and converted, including one in the 91st minute of the game which saw the London side rescue a point against Keiran McKenna's improving Tractor Boys.

However, the main headline to emerge from the game surrounded Fulham’s main man up top Raul Jimenez, who in netting both spot kicks awarded to his side, became the all time leading Mexican goal scorer in Premier League history.

Having now bagged 55 goals during spells with Wolves and Fulham, Jimenez has officially eclipsed the former record held by ex-Manchester United and West Ham poacher Javier Hernandez, who netted 53 times in nine seasons in England’s top flight.

So how exactly did the former Benfica talisman come to break such a prestigious national record, and by how much more can he extend it?

Track Record

It says a lot that only two Mexican players have surpassed single digits in terms of goals scored in the Premier League, as it has not always been a nation known for producing Premier League worthy names. However, every now and then, a true talent emerges, and more often than not is snapped up by a side in England's top division.

Jimenez was one of these rare exceptions, and was signed by Nuno Espirito Santo in the summer transfer window of 2018, just in time for Wolves return to the Premier League.

After a tremendously impressive first two seasons, in which he netted 30 Premier League goals and 44 in all competitions, Jimenez was in the middle of the conversation when it came to the top flight's most efficient forwards.

However, in 2020, the Mexican sustained a freak injury after a head clash with Chelsea’s David Luiz, which left him with a fractured skull, sidelining him for the remainder of 2020/21. Bouncing back from tremendous adversity, Jimenez was able to take to the field the next season, but struggled to find form, netting just six times in the next two seasons for Wolves.

His employers came to the point where they perceived him as past his best, or at least never likely to reach his former heights again, and so they let him leave in the summer of 2023 for Fulham, for the measly sum of just over £5 million.

His form in 2023/24 showed little improvement, and it seemed for a time that Wolves had been right to let him go. However, fast forward to the current season, and it appears that the striker is starting to rediscover the best version of himself.

Bagging nine goals in 22 appearances overall, with eight of those coming in the league, Jimenez has become central to Marco Silva’s set up at Craven Cottage, with his knack for being in the right place at the right time netting vital goals for a Fulham side considered as outsiders for European football next season.

What does the future hold?

Now aged 33, many would say that Jimenez is coming to the end of his stint in top flight football. Strikers rarely stay in the Premier League past the age of 35, and even world renowned names such as Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Didier Drogba left the division before that age, either in search of a new challenge or because they simply couldn’t keep up anymore.

However, with modern strikers, it seems different. Gone are the days where players retire in their early 20’s; in recent years, there are so many examples of players being able to display outstanding longevity. Think Thiago Silva playing for Chelsea at 39, or James Milner still tearing it up for Brighton at the same age.

If Jimenez can show the same stamina, there could well be another 50 or so goals in his locker if he stays fit and plays his cards right. In seemingly finding his goal scoring touch again, he will be extra motivated to maintain his form, as with his help Fulham could qualify for European competition for the first time since 2011/12.

The top Mexican goalscorer in the history of the Premier League.

From Tepeji to the top of English football, Raúl Jiménez's legacy is pure pride for Mexico and the world 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/cG7Z9LiMtL

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) January 5, 2025

For Jimenez, it would be his first taste of continental football since 2019/20, when Wolves participated in the Conference League after a stunning first season after promotion. That season was his career best in Europe, and if they manage to qualify again this campaign, who knows how many he could score.