Santiago Gimenez is in a race against time. The AC Milan forward recently had ankle surgery, and now he's fighting to be fit for the World Cup. For Mexico, losing their 24-year-old goal machine would be a massive blow as they prepare to host the tournament alongside the United States and Canada.
The $38 million signing from Feyenoord sat down with ESPN in Milan to talk about his recovery, the pressure of playing a World Cup at home, and his unlikely friendship with U.S. captain Christian Pulisic. The interview reveals a player determined to be ready when his country needs him most.
The Injury That Won't Go Away
Gimenez admits he made a mistake. The ankle problem started way back before the Gold Cup last summer, but like most footballers, he played through the pain. "As a football player, if we have a little pain, we just keep going," he explained. "But I think it was a mistake."
The pain got worse and worse until he couldn't ignore it anymore. Facing a crucial season with Milan and a home World Cup on the horizon, Gimenez had to make a tough call. He went under the knife last month, and now he's confident it was the right decision.
"Now, I'm really happy that I had the surgery and am just looking forward to come back stronger," he said. For punters looking at Mexico's World Cup chances, Gimenez's fitness will be crucial. He'll share the goalscoring load with Fulham's Raúl Jiménez as El Tri chase their first quarterfinal appearance since 1986.
Friends Off the Pitch, Enemies On It
Here's something you don't hear every day: Mexico's star striker is best mates with the U.S. captain. Gimenez and Pulisic have become close friends at Milan, even though they represent fierce rivals on the international stage.
"In the dressing room, he's one of my best friends," Gimenez revealed. The pair hang out, watch NFL games together (Gimenez supports the Dolphins, Pulisic backs the Jets), and have barbecues at each other's houses. But that friendship has limits.
"If he's playing against Mexico, of course if I need to kill him, I kill him!" Gimenez joked. The dressing room banter is constant, with teammates asking who's better between Mexico and the USA. It always ends in a playful "fight," but the rivalry is very real when it matters.
Gimenez thinks the U.S. has a strong squad that could reach the quarterfinals. He'd love to face them in the tournament because of the passion it brings. Mexico beat the USA in last year's Gold Cup final, and the rivalry continues to burn bright.
For Mexico, the pressure is enormous. They've only reached the World Cup quarterfinals twice—both times when hosting in 1970 and 1986. Now they have another chance on home soil, and the nation expects them to break through that round-of-16 barrier (known as "el quinto partido" or "the fifth game").
"I think with our people in Mexico, I think we can make it for sure," Gimenez said confidently. Playing at the Azteca Stadium with 90,000 fans in green shirts gives Mexico a huge advantage. Even his Milan teammates have told him nobody wants to face Mexico in Mexico.
Mexico could potentially face England in the round of 16 at the Azteca, which would be a massive test. But Gimenez believes the home support makes Mexico dangerous for any opponent. With legends Javier Aguirre and Rafa Marquez leading the team, expectations are sky-high.
For Gimenez, 2026 success starts with one thing: getting his ankle right. "I just want to be good from the ankle," he emphasized. If he's fully fit, he believes everything else will fall into place. And for Mexico's World Cup dreams, that fitness is everything.
