Who knows what the leaders of the Atletico Madrid will have thought last night when Raul Jimenez entered the field in the 83rd minute of the match between Mexico and Uruguay to replace Chicharito Hernandez. Two assists and a yellow card in just nine minutes of the game saw his country beat Uruguay 3-1 in their first group game of the 2016 Copa America.

 

The President of the Colchoneros stated in the autumn of 2015, just a few months after the sale of the Mexican to Benfica that "He needed more minutes on the field and for this reason he was sold to Benfica. But we keep the sports rights on him, with the hope that he will return to us"; A hope that will no doubt remain after 45 appearances, 12 goals and 6 assists in a season which has ended with him winning the Portuguese title. An important season for the striker from Guadalajara, that has been able to finally put on a show in European football after his initial explosion onto the scene in America and his passage to Spain in the summer 2014, for €10.5 million.  

 In Madrid for only a season, last August he was sold to Benfica for 10 million and the rest is history. The two assists provided yesterday to Capitan Rafa Marquez and Herrera is the demonstration of his new found desire to fight, to dive immediately into the game, but also the ability to defend the ball and a technique that should not be underestimated.

 

A  prototype of the modern striker that is attracting attention from all over Europe, intent on viewing his ability at the Coap America. Already West Ham, Sevilla and Villarreal have all shown interest and so have Lazio and Fiorentina. How Atletico may now regret their decision to part company with him.

Adapted from an original article by Alessandro Di Gioia. Translation by Steve Mitchell