Concacaf Spotlight: Santiago Giménez seeks to leave a mark at AC Milan | OneFootball

MIAMI. - Mexico men’s national team forward Santiago Giménez is entering a new challenge at one of the most historic clubs in the world, with the Concacaf star recently joining AC Milan of the Italian Serie A.

Giménez, one of the Mexican national team’s rising talents, has already had a remarkable career with 10 total trophies at the club and international level. At 23, he is hungry to add to his young legacy.

“One of my dreams was to play for one of the big clubs in Europe, and today I am fulfilling it,” said Giménez in his introductory press conference at AC Milan. “And now my great motivation, my great dream, is to leave my mark on this historic club.”

He was announced as Milan’s newest signing on February 3, and was immediately thrust into the action, helping his new club win 3-1 against Roma in the Coppa Italia, winning 2-nil away at Empoli in league play – scoring his first goal on an assist from fellow Concacaf star Christian Pulisic.

Gimenez earned his first start with the Rossoneri on Wednesday at his former club, Feyenoord, a 1-nil defeat in the first leg of their series in the UEFA Champions League Knockout phase play-offs.

Now, Santi’s home debut awaits in the Serie A.

Etched at Cruz Azul

Santiago is the son of Christian Giménez, who lifted the Concacaf Champions Cup on four occasions with the likes of Club América, CF Pachuca, and Cruz Azul. The senior Giménez also won league titles at boyhood club Boca Juniors and Pachuca.

The younger Giménez began his career in the Concacaf region with Liga MX side Cruz Azul. He played 55 matches and scored 22 goals in the U-20 category before and made his professional debut on August 2, 2017, in a Copa MX match against Tigres UANL, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

His first professional trophy came in the Apertura 2018 Copa MX. His Liga MX debut would follow on August 28, 2019, in a 3-2 defeat against Club Tijuana. Giménez scored his first professional goal on February 2, 2020, in a Liga MX match against Deportivo Toluca, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Giménez’s first league title came in May 2021, helping Cruz Azul end a 24-year drought. With the Mexico City side, he totaled 105 matches, 21 goals, and 11 assists during his four years, including winning the 2019 Leagues Cup, 2021 Campeón de Campeones, 2019 and 2022 Supercopa de la Liga MX.

Forged at Feyenoord

During the summer of 2022, Giménez was transferred to Feyenoord Rotterdam of the Netherlands.

In the 2022/2023 season, he debuted in the Eredivisie, playing his first league match on August 13, 2022, in a 0-0 draw against Heerenveen. He scored his first goal for the Dutch club on August 27, 2022, against Emmen. He played a total of 73 league matches, scoring 45 goals and providing 10 assists.

His first European competition goal was against Lazio on September 8, 2022 in the UEFA Europa League, where he scored twice. In the UEFA Champions League, his first goal was also against Lazio, on October 25, 2023, where Giménez again scored a brace.

With Feyenoord, he played a total of 105 matches, scored 65 goals, and registered 14 assists, winning three titles: 2022–23 Eredivisie, 2023–24 KNVB Cup, and the 2024 Johan Cruyff Shield.

A Mexican Warrior

Giménez is one of Mexico’s players to follow heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will kick off July 11 at the mythical Estadio Azteca. Mexico will co-host the tournament with Canada and the United States.

El Bebote first wore the Mexico green at the U-16 International Dream Cup 2016 in Japan, featuring in all three matches as his team finished fourth. Additionally, he was part of the U-23 squad that toured Europe in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

He received his first senior national team call-up in September 2020 under then-head coach Gerardo Martino and debuted for Mexico on October 27, 2021, in a 3-2 friendly loss against Ecuador. His first goal for the Azteca squad came against Chile in a 2-2 friendly draw on December 9, 2021.

His first senior trophy came at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup. Giménez scored against Haiti in the group stage and had a coming-of-age moment by delivering the match-winning goal in the 88’ of the Final to lead Mexico to a record 9th title.

The Mexican forward also featured for Mexico at the 2023/24 Concacaf Nations League and the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América. He has played most of his games for Mexico in 15 friendly matches, scoring two goals.

It’s only expected to be the start of a national career that already includes 32 matches, four goals, and two assists with the senior men’s national team.