Fulham striker Raúl Jiménez has admitted he is heading into this international break determined to prove his critics wrong.
Record cover comments from the Fulham man today, in which he admitted he has plans to earn back the love from Mexico.
The 33-year-old has been brought back into the fold for his country after an extended break from the national set up as the previous regime removed the veterans from the group.
That means he hasn’t played for Mexico since November last year, missing out on friendlies, CONCACAF Nations League finals and the Copa América this summer.
A return to form at club level for Fulham, he has three goals and one assist in seven games in the Premier League this season, has seen Javier Aguirre bring him back into the fold.
That decision has led to plenty of criticism in Mexico, where it’s been debated what the veteran striker can possibly add to the group at this point.
The belief is that he is well past his best and his return is nothing more than a publicity stunt, but Jiménez is determined to prove such comments wrong.
“Today that this call is here, I want to respond. Let everyone know that yes, I can, that I am here to help as I have been doing in the team,” he said.
“It is difficult after so much time of being with the family, difficult to leave them again. Even if it is only 10 days, but I come with all the hope and all the desire for this to go well.
“I am doing things well, helping the team in the aspirations we have and now reflecting that here as well. This last month I have had to be the man in charge of the team.
“It is something I was looking for and fortunately today I am achieving it based on the trust of the team, the coach and my teammates who know what I am capable of and what I can contribute to the team.”
