Raúl Jiménez: A Wolves Legend Who Still Calls Molineux Home
Few players in the Premier League have experienced the highs and lows of football as profoundly as Raúl Jiménez. His journey—from a relatively unknown Mexican forward arriving on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers to becoming a beloved cult hero—has been defined by brilliance, bravery, and an unbreakable bond with the fans. While he now plies his trade for Fulham in West London, Jiménez recently reminded Wolves supporters that his heart never truly left Molineux. For them, and for him, it will always be home.
The Beginning of Something Special
When Jiménez joined Wolves on loan from Benfica in the summer of 2018, few could have predicted the impact he would have. At the time, Wolves were newly promoted and still finding their feet in the Premier League. Nuno Espírito Santo was building a side that fused discipline with creativity, and Jiménez quickly became a cornerstone of that project.
From the very beginning, he was different. A natural leader on the pitch, his ability to hold up play, create space for teammates, and score a wide variety of goals gave Wolves something they hadn’t had in years: a true number nine who could influence games at the highest level. In his first season alone, he scored 17 goals in all competitions, helping Wolves finish seventh and qualify for the Europa League for the first time in nearly four decades.
Wolves didn’t wait long to make the deal permanent, sealing a £30 million transfer in April 2019. At the time, it was a club-record fee—a bold move that would pay off handsomely.
Peak Years in Old Gold
Over the next two seasons, Jiménez cemented his place as one of the Premier League’s most consistent and dangerous strikers. He formed a telepathic connection with players like Diogo Jota, João Moutinho, and Adama Traoré, and Wolves became one of the league’s most exciting teams to watch.
His 40 Premier League goals remain a record for the club in the modern era. But even more than the numbers, it was the moments that defined him: crucial goals against top-six sides, a stunning long-range finish in Europe, a calm penalty in stoppage time. Time and again, when Wolves needed a hero, Jiménez delivered.
In Europe, he helped lead the club to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League in 2020. He scored nine goals in that European campaign, showcasing his ability on the continental stage and further endearing himself to the fans. Molineux was rocking, and at the center of it all was Jiménez—mask celebration and all.
Tragedy and Triumph: The Fight to Return
But then, in November 2020, everything changed.
In a match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, Jiménez clashed heads with defender David Luiz in a horrific aerial duel. The impact fractured his skull. He was stretchered off the pitch and immediately underwent emergency surgery. For months, his career hung in the balance. For many, the fear wasn’t whether he would play again, but whether he would even recover fully.
Yet through months of painstaking rehabilitation, Jiménez fought back. He trained alone. He wore a protective headband. He faced moments of doubt. But he never gave up. In August 2021, against all odds, he returned to Premier League action—a moment met with thunderous applause across the footballing world.
His return was a testament not only to medical science but to his own courage and determination. Though his form was understandably inconsistent in his first season back, his presence alone inspired players and supporters alike.
A New Chapter at Fulham
In the summer of 2023, Jiménez made a difficult but necessary decision: to leave Wolves and begin a new chapter at Fulham. Marco Silva saw the veteran as an experienced option to add leadership and firepower to a developing squad. Many wondered if he still had the edge. By the 2024/25 season, he had given them their answer.
With 11 goals already to his name this season, Jiménez has proven he can still lead the line in the Premier League. While he shares minutes with the young and talented Rodrigo Muniz, Jiménez’s sharp instincts, positional awareness, and composure in front of goal have been crucial to Fulham’s push for European football.
He may no longer wear gold and black, but Jiménez has once again become a cult figure—this time at Craven Cottage.
“Molineux is My Favourite Stadium”
Recently, Jiménez was asked to name his favourite stadium in the Premier League outside of Craven Cottage. Without hesitation, he replied: “I would say Molineux, Wolves. I spent a lot of time there, so that’s why I like it really much.”
For Wolves supporters, those words struck a chord. Molineux is where he rose to fame, where fans sang his name with pride, and where he lived both his best and hardest moments in football. That he still considers it his favourite ground—after everything—is a reminder of the deep emotional roots he laid in Wolverhampton.
The Fans’ Undying Affection
Despite his move away from the club, Wolves fans have never stopped cherishing Jiménez. Social media is filled with comments from supporters who would welcome him back in a heartbeat. Though a return seems unlikely—especially after Jiménez triggered a contract extension at Fulham—his legacy at Wolves is untouchable.
He’s remembered not just for goals, but for grace. For how he handled adversity. For how he gave everything on the pitch. For how he made the fans believe.
A Legacy Set in Stone
At 34 years old, Raúl Jiménez is in the twilight of his career, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He remains one of the most respected forwards in the Premier League, not just for his talents, but for his journey. In an era of short memories and quick transfers, his connection with Wolves stands out as something real, lasting, and deeply human.
He may be scoring goals at Craven Cottage now, but at Molineux, he’ll always be remembered as a legend. Not just for what he did—but for who he was.
Forever a Wolf.