Welcome to the crazy world of Mexican football, where the key is not to piss off the handful of power brokers in the sport. And that is where Club America’s Raul Jimenez finds himself right now.
Raul Jimenez won’t force desired Porto move, much to Club America’s delight
Nothing is ever simple in Mexican football. Not even a player’s desire on a move.
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The Mexican striker has been in demand over the last year, having established himself as one of the best players in Liga MX and emerging as one of Mexico's best players. It's only a matter of time before he's snapped up by a European club, and that time could be now.
Porto have been linked to Jimenez all summer, but they have not been able to agree to a fee with Club America. And Jimenez said that he will not try to force a move, even though he wants to make the jump.
“I know they are negotiating over there, that it could be probable that I go, but also if I stay it is fine because I’m at the biggest club in Mexico,” Jimenez told Goal.com.
America are the biggest club in Mexico. They’re also a very good one and the club that developed the 23-year-old, so his loyalty is understandable. But America are also owned by Televisa, who happen to wield a lot of power in Mexican football, and Jimenez is well aware of that.
After all, Jimenez’s first caps for Mexico were Televisa’s doing. He was young and didn’t really deserve to be playing for El Tri yet, but he was Televisa’s golden boy and the matches were being televised on Televisa so guess who got called in? You bet it was Jimenez.
And if Televisa has that kind of power, how do you think they would use it if Jimenez pissed them off, possibly by forcing through a transfer to Porto? Those Mexico call-ups may dry up, despite the fact that he certainly deserves each and every one now.
This is life in Mexican football. Someone always has power, or doesn’t have power, or has ulterior motives, but most importantly, there are always a handful of people pulling all of the strings for club and country. And nobody would be wise to upset them.
Jimenez is wise enough not to upset Televisa. He may genuinely want to appease Club America, but the Televisa cloud does hang over him, plus he will probably get his move eventually. He’ll hop across the pond and be happy, thanking his lucky stars he’s not Alan Pulido.
You’re so special, Mexico.
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