Raúl Jiménez Eyes Historic Goal Record in Championship Finale

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Raúl Jiménez is poised to make history as he approaches a milestone in his international soccer career this Sunday during the final of the Concacaf championship. The Mexican forward has the opportunity to surpass Cuauhtémoc Blanco’s record as he aims to clinch his 39th goal for the national team against Panama.

Having netted a spectacular double in the semifinal against Canada, Jiménez now stands just a single goal away from tying Blanco’s 38 goals, placing him in third position among Mexico‘s all-time leading scorers. The record is currently held by Javier Hernández, who boasts 52 goals, while Jared Borgetti trails with 46.

“It’s something I have always worked on, especially with free kicks,” Jiménez stated after the semifinal match. He recalled that in the past, he lacked the confidence to take the shot himself. “The confidence has always been there, but sometimes it takes a moment to grab the ball and say, ‘Let me try.’”

Jiménez has been a key figure for Mexico since 2013, despite facing challenges in his career, including a severe head injury in November 2020 that sidelined him for eight months. His return to form has solidified him as one of the team’s leaders as they prepare for the crucial championship clash.

The final at SoFi Stadium is expected to draw a sell-out crowd with over 85% of tickets sold. The Mexican national team, under coach Javier Aguirre, aims to regain the trust of fans after disappointing results over the past two years.

“Fans have expressed their commitment, and we are determined to deliver on that,” Aguirre emphasized, reflecting on the importance of the fan support. “I met a fan from Kentucky outside our hotel. He told me he traveled five and a half hours. We intend to repay that loyalty with pride and a strong performance.”

Ticket prices for the event range from $83 to $737.80, with nearly all sections selling out quickly. The anticipation is rising as fans expect not only the championship clash between Mexico and Panama but also the third-place match featuring Canada versus the United States earlier in the day.