On Monday, Fulham announced via social media the list of players whose contracts expire this summer and will not be renewed.
There were no real surprises, although there was one name fans hoped they wouldn’t see: Raúl Jiménez.
The writing had been on the wall for some time. Fulham had already made a major investment in USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi, reportedly spending close to $35 million on the forward. He will join the club after the World Cup.
Rumors of an América return
As soon as news broke that Jiménez was leaving Fulham, it took less than an hour for several media outlets to link the 35-year-old veteran with a return to Club América. The Mexico City club is preparing for a new era under head coach Guillermo Almada following the departure of André Jardine.
Raúl is a Club América legend. A product of the club’s academy, he made 103 appearances and scored 38 goals for Las Águilas. Those performances earned him a move to Europe, where he signed with Atlético Madrid, although things never quite clicked for him there.
During his time with América, Jiménez won two Liga MX titles and was part of that unforgettable May 26, 2013 squad that defeated Cruz Azul in one of the most dramatic finals in Mexican soccer history. América looked dead and buried for most of the match before completing a miraculous comeback and winning on penalties.
But Wolves Had a Say
Jiménez is an América icon, but there was another club standing in the way: Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he also left a lasting legacy. The Wolves were relegated this season and will compete in the Championship, England’s second division.
Tough choice, right? Return to the club that raised you as a professional, or help the team where fans still sing “Siiii señor” bring its way back to the Premier League?
Raúl spent five seasons with Wolverhampton, scoring 57 goals in 166 appearances. It remains the club where he has spent the longest stretch of his professional career, and in the end, his decision was to stay in England rather than return to Mexico.
“Welcome home,” Wolverhampton posted alongside a video filled with Mexican references, featuring people wearing Wolves gear before revealing Jiménez at the very end.
Just days before Jiménez is set to make his debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Wolverhampton’s board confirmed that the striker will continue writing his story in English football.
As a result, Jiménez’s tally as the highest-scoring Mexican in Premier League history will remain on hold at 63 goals. He will keep the crown for now, but he won’t have the chance to extend his lead over Javier Hernández, who sits second with 53 goals.
At 35 years old, this could be Jiménez’s final European adventure. The striker has openly spoken about his desire to return to Liga MX one day and finish his career in Mexican soccer.
The question is: will age still allow him to compete at the highest level when that time comes?
Only time will tell.
At the moment, Wolverhampton has not disclosed the length of Jiménez’s contract.
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