Jimenez breaks down in tears in emotional moment as he scores 1st WC goal months after dad died

MEXICO striker Raul Jimenez was brought to tears whilst celebrating his first-ever World Cup goal – just months after his dad died.

The former Fulham No9, who has left to re-join Wolves this summer, bagged the second goal of the tournament to double his side’s lead against South Africa in the opening game.

And it was all too much for the veteran forward as he was seen crying with team-mates flocking to hug him in emotional scenes at the Azteca stadium.

Jimenez, 35, flicked in a cross from the right before running off to the corner flag and jumping into the air.

He pumped his arms and pointed to the sky as green shirts crowded him to enjoy the moment.

Jimenez then stopped shouting and closed his eyes, leaning his head back and welling up.

After Mexico’s players had cleared away he pointedly took a moment, red-eyed, to once again look to the heavens.

His dad, Raul Jimenez Vega, passed away in March.

Jimenez Jr, who has been through plenty to get to this stage after surviving a brain bleed in 2020 following a horror head collision with David Luiz, dedicated his first goal after the death to his father.

That came just a week after Vega had died, with Jimenez dropping to his knees at Craven Cottage on that occasion, also wiping tears from his face.