Watch out England! The remarkable Wolves journey of Mexico star Raul Jimenez

England had better watch out, because there is a Mexican wolf enjoying the best moment of his career.

Raul Jimenez has enjoyed a fantastic World Cup - scoring his first two goals on the grandest stage of them all to fire Mexico into the last 16.

There, he will hope to break English hearts in the last 16 ahead of his summer homecoming to Molineux.

There is a special bond between Jimenez and Wolves. During his five memorable years in the Black Country, the Mexican became a club hero, scoring goals, breaking records and earning the admiration of supporters.

Here we look back at the journey that made him a modern-day favourite.

Loan move

Jimenez joined Wolves on loan in 2018, shortly after the club had stormed to the Championship title.

The striker headed home a dramatic equaliser in front of the South Bank on his debut against Everton and continued to deliver goals throughout the campaign.

By March, the Mexican had matched Steven Fletcher's record for the most Premier League goals scored by a Wolves player in a single season, with 12.

He ended his first campaign at Molineux with 17 goals in 44 appearances, including four during the club's memorable run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Wembley mask

The 2018/19 season was a memorable one under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

Jimenez played a key role in helping Wolves secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round.

The FA Cup also provided several memorable moments, although Wolves agonisingly missed out on a place in the final after a heartbreaking defeat to Watford at Wembley.

Jimenez scored the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Molineux to send Wolves into the semi-finals. It was his 15th goal of the season.

Then, under the famous arch, Jimenez struck in the 62nd minute to put Wolves 2-0 ahead against Watford, with supporters dreaming of an FA Cup final appearance.

To celebrate, he donned a lucha libre wrestling mask gifted to him by friend and fellow Mexican, WWE star Sin Cara.

However, the iconic celebration became even more memorable as Watford staged a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 after extra time.

Permanent move

It was a no-brainer for Wolves to make the move permanent. Three days before the FA Cup semi-final, the club completed what was believed to be a club-record £30million deal for the striker.

He signed a four-year contract to keep him at Molineux until 2023.

It was not only his goals that made such an impact. Jimenez also proved an excellent creator, contributing a number of assists during his first season with Wolves.

The Mexican formed a devastating partnership with the late Diogo Jota, a strike pairing that remains fondly remembered by Wolves supporters.

Jimenez was voted Wolves Players' Player of the Season at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

European tour

Jimenez's goals helped Wolves navigate the Europa League qualifying rounds and reach the group stage. It was the club's first venture into European competition in almost 40 years.

He helped Wolves reach the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Sevilla.

In the Premier League, Wolves secured a second consecutive seventh-place finish despite the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

On December 27, 2019, Jimenez scored Wolves' second goal in a memorable 3-2 victory over Manchester City at Molineux. It was his eighth Premier League goal of the season and his 17th in all competitions, matching his tally from the previous campaign before the year was even out.

The Mexican remained at the heart of Wolves' success, featuring in 55 of the club's 59 matches and scoring 27 goals.

He was voted both the supporters' and players' player of the season.

Life-changing moment

Jimenez marked his 100th Wolves appearance with a goal after just three minutes against Sheffield United.

Months later, the striker’s football career, and life, changed forever.

Five minutes into Wolves' Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in November 2020, Jimenez was knocked unconscious following a clash of heads with David Luiz.

While Luiz was able to continue until half-time, Jimenez was stretchered off and taken to hospital.

The following morning, Wolves confirmed that he had fractured his skull and undergone surgery, ending his season.

2021/22

Jimenez returned during pre-season ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, although it was confirmed he would wear a protective head guard.

He scored his first goal since returning from injury in a 1-0 victory at Southampton in September 2021.

Farewell

Jimenez remains Wolves' record Premier League goalscorer, having scored 40 top-flight goals during his five-year spell at Molineux. He left the club in 2023 with 57 goals in all competitions.

Jimenez was an unused substitute during Wolves’ final game of the 2022/23 season against Everton. The striker threw his training jacket at the dugout and stormed off down the tunnel when Wolves made their final two substitutions, before coming back out for the lap of appreciation in tears.

In hindsight, manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted he made a mistake by not bringing the striker on, saying: “Maybe I can do better as a coach and put him on the pitch for the last ten minutes.”

Return

The Mexican made his fifth appearance against Wolves as a second-half substitute for Fulham in May and received a standing ovation from the home supporters, with Molineux erupting into chants of "Si Senor".

Fans also sang "sign him up" while Jimenez warmed up on the touchline during the first half.

Afterwards, Jimenez spoke exclusively to the Express & Star and revealed there was a "possibility" of a return to Wolves.

He said: "It would be nice, more after today, let's see."

Wolves opened talks over a return, and discussions have since progressed, with the club now finalising a deal to bring him back.

Staff flew to the World Cup ahead of Mexico’s opener against South Africa to complete his medical, finalise the deal and sign a two-year contract with the option of a third.

Jimenez celebrated his return to Wolves by scoring in the opening game of the 2026 World Cup at the iconic Azteca Stadium, and Mexico went on to cruise through their group before beating Ecuador in the last-32, with Jimenez on target once again.

Wolves fans will be hoping he can carry that form into the Championship next season - but may secretly be hoping he has an off night against England this weekend.

*A version of this article was originally published in the wake of Jimenez signing for Wolves in June 2026.