World Cup 2026: Julian Quinones

'The Azteca erupts!' Quinones fires Mexico into lead

Julian Quinones' path to being a Mexican hero has been unorthodox - not least because he is from Colombia - and he will hope to become a legend against England.

The World Cup last-16 tie in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium - which is now set to kick off at 19:00 BST on Sunday - will be live on BBC One.

England fans will be more than aware of Mexico's number nine Raul Jimenez, the Wolves striker who also had a spell at Fulham.

But Quinones, last season's Saudi Pro League golden boot winner, has been making waves on the left wing - and could cause problems in England's highly debated right-back position in the high Mexican altitude.

The 29-year-old has already scored three times at the World Cup - including the tournament opener against South Africa, against the Czechs and in the last 32 against Ecuador.

Colombian born, but he loves Mexico

Quinones was born in Magui Payan in southern Colombia, not too far from the Ecuadorian border, and grew up in some poverty.

"It's a very far away, forgotten village," he said in a recent interview.

"Knowing I could overcome everything, even with all the difficulties and the lack of support, motivates me even more to keep on fighting, doing my best with every ball I get and in every match. I also do it for my family."

At the age of 17 he left his amateur team Futbol Paz to join Mexican side Tigres.

"I was young and I hesitated when thinking about leaving my country, in order to pursue new goals and paths," he said.

He would come to think of Mexico as "my country" and now has a Mexican wife and children.

Quinones spent eight years there with Tigres, Atlas and Club America - plus three loan moves too.

Having previously represented Colombia at youth level in 2017 and 2018, he heard nothing from his homeland while he was banging in the goals - over 70 of them - in the Mexican top flight.

By the time a call from Colombia came in 2023 he was eligible to play for Mexico through naturalisation - and so joined their squad instead.

"I found a very generous country," he said. "People welcome you, help you stand out, grow personally, and I loved it, so, little by little, I started to settle, I felt welcomed. I'll always be very grateful for those moments.

"Mexico made me a great person. I didn't have great references from Colombia, because I was not very wise back then, but Mexico welcomed me with arms wide open, knowing one has good and bad moments in life. I learned a lot from that."

He won six league titles in Mexico, two with each of his permanent teams - although the Mexican league has two champions each year.

BBC offers 'Stay Up or Catch Up' for England v Mexico

Outscoring Ronaldo in Saudi league

Less than a year after becoming a Mexico international, Quinones left the country in a deal worth roughly £12m to join Al-Qadsiah, who had just been promoted to the Saudi Pro League.

He has scored 62 goals in 68 games in all competitions since that move - and last season won the league's golden boot.

His 33 goals saw him finish one above England's Ivan Toney and four clear of Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

That was despite Brendan Rodgers' side only finishing fourth in the league.

And Quinones has carried that form into the World Cup.

Three goals, one assist, man of the match twice

With three goals and one assist in four 2026 World Cup games, no Mexican player has been involved in more goals in one edition since at least 1966.

Luis Hernandez was also involved in four goals (all goals scored) in 1998, the joint record.

Quinones scored the first goal of the World Cup, drilling the ball through South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams' legs just nine minutes into the tournament. He also hit the woodwork later in the 2-0 win.

He pounced from close range to score the second goal in Mexico's 3-0 win over the Czech Republic.

And then he netted the opener in their 2-0 win over Ecuador in the last round, running on to a long ball down the left before firing in a fine strike.

He was also named man of the match against South Africa and Ecuador.

"I'm confident we'll get far," he said.

"Our team is complete and competitive. We know what our goal is and we believe we can do it."

Whoever plays at right-back for England on Monday might have a real task on their hands.

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