Santiago Gimenez
Suffers ankle injury
Gimenez had one off-target shot and completed two passes in 29 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 3-2 loss to England and sprained his right ankle, Sky Italy reported.
Analysis: Gimenez subbed in and out following an awkward movement of the previously surgically repaired joint and quickly took the tests, which ruled out a fracture and revealed a significant sprain. He missed five months because of problems with the same ankle last season. He'll be assessed by the Milan doctor upon his return to determine his timetable. He closed the World Cup with no goals in four cameos and having logged just two shots (one on target) and two clearances in 82 minutes combined.
Appears from bench again
Gimenez had one shot (one on goal) in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Czech Republic.
Analysis: Gimenez is yet to start a match at the 2026 World Cup, instead featuring from the bench for a second straight game Wednesday. He would earn one shot in his 27 minutes, his first shot of the tournament, which was on target but failed to hit the back of the net. He will remain a super-substitute for the team, a dangerous option from the bench on his best days.
Bench role vs. South Africa
Gimenez (undisclosed) is on the bench for Thursday's World Cup opener against South Africa.
Analysis: Gimenez has been included in the squad after the coaching staff's close monitoring of his condition returned a sufficiently positive outcome, with coach Javier Aguirre opting for a cautious approach by keeping him among the substitutes rather than risking him from the start after a period of training separately from the Mexican squad. His presence on the bench nonetheless offers Aguirre a dangerous option to call upon, with the hope being that the coming days bring enough clarity to reintegrate him more fully into the tournament setup.
Training separately
Gimenez (undisclosed) is training separately from the Mexican squad as he continues to manage the physical issues that hampered his season at AC Milan, according to TNT Sports Mexico.
Analysis: Gimenez's situation will be monitored closely by the coaching staff over the coming days before any further clarity emerges on his availability for Mexico's World Cup opener against South Africa on June 11. Coach Javier Aguirre will have Raul Jimenez ready to lead the line regardless of whether Gimenez can prove his fitness in time, limiting the impact of the striker's uncertain condition on Mexico's overall tournament preparations.
Delivers one assist
Gimenez assisted once to go with two shots (zero on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Cagliari.
Analysis: Gimenez contributed directly to the opening goal in Sunday's 1-2 defeat to Cagliari, nodding on Fikayo Tomori's ball over the top into the path of Alexis Saelemaekers inside two minutes to provide the assist for what initially looked like the breakthrough AC Milan desperately needed, while also adding one key pass and one tackle. Gimenez ends the 2025-26 Serie A season without scoring a goal while registering one assist across 16 appearances, enduring a difficult campaign heavily impacted by injuries. The Mexican forward will now hope to earn a place with Mexico national football team for the FIFA World Cup in June.
Struggles continue after return
Gimenez recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Sunday's 2-1 victory versus Genoa.
Analysis: Gimenez started alongside Christopher Nkunku in Sunday's 2-1 win at Genoa, operating as the right-sided striker in manager Massimiliano Allegri's system and working hard in the buildup to both goals without generating a meaningful chance of his own, finishing the match without a shot on target before being replaced in the second half. The Mexican forward, who missed most of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in December, has struggled to find his rhythm since returning and has been unable to replicate the prolific form that made him one of Europe's most coveted strikers during his time at Feyenoord. Gimenez failed to score across 15 Serie A appearances this season, totaling nine shots and three on target, heading into the FIFA World Cup with Mexico on home soil.
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