Mexico’s Santiago Gimenez discusses the World Cup, Pulisic, and other topics

Santiago Gimenez plays a crucial role in Mexico’s strategy for the men’s FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico during June and July. The AC Milan striker will share the goalscoring responsibilities with Fulham’s Raúl Jiménez as El Tri aims to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986, the last occasion Mexico hosted the event.

However, the 24-year-old, who finalized a $38 million transfer from Dutch side Feyenoord to Milan in January 2025, is currently engaged in a fitness struggle to prepare for the World Cup after undergoing ankle surgery last month.

As the tournament approaches, ESPN visited Milan to discuss Gimenez’s rehabilitation process, the pressures and expectations associated with competing in a World Cup on home soil, and how he has set aside the intense Mexico-U.S. soccer rivalry with U.S. men’s national team captain and Milan teammate Christian Pulisic.

Editor’s note: This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

ESPN: First of all, Santi, how is the ankle injury progressing?

Gimenez: It has been challenging because there were weeks when I played through pain. The injury progressively worsened. I needed to take a break, but now I want to focus on the present and future, not dwell on the past. I’m motivated by my recovery, and I hope to be back on the field in a few weeks.

Is it true that the injury began to be a problem during the Gold Cup last summer?

Yes, it has been an ongoing issue. Initially, it was just a bit of discomfort, and as a football player, we tend to push through any pain. It’s a common mindset for us.

But I believe it was a mistake. I understand every player would likely do the same because we love to compete, but I was already experiencing pain before the Gold Cup. It kept getting progressively worse, so it was time to stop.

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Did you reach a point where you had to decide on surgery to be fit for the World Cup?

Yes, absolutely. Last May, I couldn’t believe I had this opportunity with Milan, the World Cup, my national team, and my people. But then the pain intensified, leading to the decision to undergo surgery or not. It’s a significant season with Milan, followed by the World Cup, so it was a difficult choice. However, now that a month has passed since the surgery, I can confidently say it was the right decision.

I’m genuinely pleased that I had the surgery and am eager to return stronger.

You play alongside Christian Pulisic at Milan and have become close friends. Has he supported you during your injury, or is the U.S.-Mexico rivalry too intense?

This is always a topic in the dressing room. They joke with us or ask, “Who’s better, USA or Mexico?” I say Mexico, Pulisic says USA, and it turns into a friendly debate in the locker room, but it’s all in good fun!

When we compete for our countries, we are rivals. But in the dressing room, he is one of my closest friends. We spend a lot of time together, and I hope he performs well unless he’s playing against Mexico, in which case I will do everything to win!

He has been a great friend during this challenging time of rehabilitation. We share many interests, including a love for the NFL—he supports the Jets, while I root for the Dolphins. Sometimes, I visit his home for a barbecue and to watch NFL games.

So, he is a wonderful teammate and friend, but when he wears the USA jersey, he becomes a rival.

How do you assess the chances of Mexico and the United States at the World Cup?

Competing in a World Cup in your own country is incredible, and we have the chance to do it. Our families will be there—it’s our people, our stadium, our country—so we need to be strong, and I believe we will be.

I think the U.S. has a very strong national team. They could potentially reach the quarterfinals. They are formidable.

I would love to face the USA in the World Cup due to the rivalry that football brings, and the fans are excited about it.

Winning the Gold Cup last year was fantastic for us because our rivalry has a long history and continues. I know the fans take great joy in defeating the USA, so we were thrilled to win the Gold Cup against them.

Does Mexico feel the pressure to reach the quarterfinals? It has only occurred in 1970 and 1986—both World Cups held in Mexico—so the expectations must be significant?

El quinto partido? Now that we are at home, I wouldn’t say it will be easier because every match will be challenging.

However, I believe that with our supporters in Mexico, we can achieve it for sure. We are committed to working hard because words alone won’t accomplish it. We are striving to meet that goal.

Our coach [Javier Aguirre] and our assistant coach, Rafa Marquez, are both legends in Mexico, which inspires us greatly. We hold them in high regard and will follow their guidance. In Mexico, we view each other as a family within the national team, and we will carry that spirit into the World Cup.

How significant will it be to play knockout matches at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City? Mexico could encounter England at the Azteca in the round of 16; can you handle such a major challenge?

[The Azteca is] incredible. It’s remarkable to see 90,000 fans in green shirts all cheering. It poses a challenge for opponents, and for us, it serves as a tremendous boost.

Facing England would be very tough. However, from what I’ve observed in the dressing room, even if we are not the strongest national team, no one wants to face Mexico in Mexico—no one. Everyone in the [Milan] dressing room has mentioned this. They hope they don’t have to play against Mexico because they know how tough we are, especially at home.

So, I understand the perception of England as a challenging national team to compete against, but I know they feel the same way about Mexico.

With your ankle healing and the World Cup approaching, what would a perfect 2026 look like for Santi Gimenez?

I just want to be healthy with my ankle. I believe that is the primary goal. I want to be [100 percent fit]. If I am good with my ankle, I think everything else will fall into place.

After that, I will focus on the World Cup. I will be ready for the World Cup.