EVERY GOAL IS PRECIOUS
Jimenez just grateful to be playing again
MIRACLE man Raul Jimenez will cherish every goal he scores from now until the end of his career.
The Wolves striker needed emergency surgery on his fractured skull following a collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz less than a year ago.
There was bleeding inside his brain putting his life at risk.
Now Jimenez, 30, carries a scar near his right ear and with the anniversary of that horrific moment only seven days away he admitted: “Every goal I score now is special.
“It has to be after what I lived through last year. I know I have to enjoy it more when we are winning, when I score, everything. Just everything.
So it’s really special to be here at home and scoring.”
Jimenez only arrived back in England on Friday afternoon after playing for Mexico against USA and Canada.
He missed a first-half chance when he tried unsuccessfully to chip Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski, but drove in Daniel Podence’s return squared pass for the 58th-minute winner.
West Ham were deeply disappointing, but Jimenez is simply brave.
The surgery had to be quick to save his life, but he is still at the start of his recovery with three goals in 12 games.
With the anniversary of that frightening incident coming up, Wolves have put together a documentary entitled Code Red to underline the significance of Jimenez’s situation. It shows ex-boss Nuno Espirito Santo (below) crying as he recalls what happened to Jimenez.
“That’s something that I didn’t know about Nuno,” added Jimenez who plays with a padded headband to protect his skull.
“All humans have that emotional part. But looking at him in the interview, it’s hard and emotional for us, too.
“I have watched the documentary and it’s emotional to see all the people that were there, to talk about it. I know that without their support, all my team-mates, my family, that my recovery was not possible.
“The people that appear in the documentary, their feelings had never been told before. This was a moment for them to show it.
“It’s good for me to know now the effect they had on me. I feel in a good moment. I like to help the team.
“I’ve been playing in the Premier League and also for my national team and I want to keep going.”
Wolves have lost only one in seven league games – winning five – and want to challenge for Europe again.
Bruno Lage, who succeeded Nuno, got off to a slow start, winning just twice in seven league and cup games, but it looks as if it is coming together now.
Jimenez is the focal point but the calm of Joao Moutinho and passing of Ruben Neves creates the chances.
They face Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal before the end of December.
But it is the first time since 1980 they have won three successive topflight home games. And anything is possible – as Jimenez has proven.