SantiagoGimenez

Born in Buenos Aires - but proudly representing the Mexican Tricolor - on 18 April 2001, Santiago Gimenez developed as a footballer at Cruz Azul, where he made his debut on 2 August 2017, just over 16 years old. He became a permanent fixture in the Celestes' first team in 2019/20 and in May 2021 he was a key figure in the club's national title win, their first in 23 years. With Cruz Azul he won a total of six trophies, including a Super Cup in 2022 in which he also scored. It was the last Mexican high note, as the summer of 2022 saw him move to Europe with Feyenoord.

His first season in the Netherlands was a triumph: Giménez contributed 15 goals (23 across all competitions) to Feyenoord's Eredivisie title. The following season, 2023/24, was the breakthrough one: his goal tally grew - 23 in the league - and above all came his Champions League debut. In his second Dutch season he won the KNVB Cup, to which he added the Super Cup in August 2024 against PSV. His final months at Feyenoord, before joining AC Milan, saw him score more goals in the Champions League: his total over two and a half seasons in Rotterdam reads 65 goals in 105 appearances. He joined AC Milan in February 2025 and, after a season and a half, has 7 goals in 37 total appearances.

On the international front he chose Mexico from the youth levels and, after going through the Under-age teams, made his senior debut in October 2021. The high point so far is the 2023 Gold Cup win, with a goal scored in the Final against Panama, followed by the 2025 edition; Santiago was also a key player at the 2024 Copa América and took part in the 2026 World Cup.