Thierry Henry has shed light on why Raul Jimenez broke down emotionally after netting for Mexico against South Africa on Thursday.
Mexico won that World Cup opener 2-0, with goals from Jimenez and Julian Quinones securing the victory.
It was Jimenez's maiden World Cup appearance. The Wolves striker had battled back from a life-threatening skull fracture suffered in 2020.
His father passed away just three months prior, at age 62. The loss clearly weighed on the 35-year-old's mind.
Speaking on Fox from the Mexico City Stadium, Henry offered his perspective on that raw moment. "Why was he emotional?" Henry asked rhetorically, then explained his thinking.
According to Henry, many believed Jimenez's career wouldn't recover from his injury. But the striker fought his way back against the odds.
"I'm sure he was thinking of his dad," Henry noted during his analysis. He observed how Jimenez looked toward the stands after scoring.
"He realised his dad wasn't sitting there watching him at the Azteca," the Arsenal legend added. Henry acknowledged they were witnessing something genuinely profound unfold.
