Santiago Giménez, popular star but substitute on the field with Mexico
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Three years after his winning goal in the Gold Cup final, Santiago Giménez remains a luxury replacement in the Mexican eleven. Despite a season disrupted by injuries, he is the most visible star of the selection thanks to his numerous advertising contracts.
Santiago Giménez, 25, is still the second option in attack for the Mexican national team, three years after scoring the decisive goal in the Gold Cup final. His last year, however, was marked by limited playing time and repeated injuries, which slowed down his progress on the field. However, the former Feyenoord center forward stands out as the most popular player in the group.
In the streets of Mexico, it is difficult to miss the figure of Giménez. The AC Milan striker is the face of Adidas, a major phone company and other major brands. His face is omnipresent on the huge billboards that decorate the Mexican capital, but also in other regions of the country. This impressive media exposure contrasts with his status as a replacement within the selection.
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He does not yet seem able to dethrone Raúl Jiménez, the Fulham scorer, who is very clearly the indisputable starter at the forefront for Mexico, particularly with a view to the World Cup. However, this in no way diminishes the popularity of Giménez, who enjoys a special status. While the national team lacks international stars, Santiago Giménez is the only Mexican player playing for a top European club, making him a real powerhouse for fans and the media.
If he already shines off the field, the objective for the Mexican is now to confirm this aura on the green rectangle and convince his coach that he deserves more playing time.