The son of a former Boca player discarded Argentina and chose Mexico: “I wouldn’t have decided for Messi”

Play next to Lionel Messi It has become a desire for many footballers and a reality for a privileged few. Santiago GiménezFor example, he might have had the chance to join that select group that shared a team with the best player in the world. However, his firm stance in defending the colors of Mexico over the Argentine national team meant that this possibility took another direction.

The Feyenoord goalscorer was born in Argentina, so he could have chosen to represent his country. However, he decided to play for Mexico, where he moved at the age of 2 when his father, former Boca player Christian Giménez, started playing in Veracruz.

“I’m not lying, I love Messi, he’s an animal, he’s the best in history, but better to play against him“, the 22-year-old forward confirmed to journalist Christian Martin.

Furthermore, he added: “I love Leo Messi, I think he is the best player in history, but I would not have made the decision – to play for the Argentine national team – for Messi, I would have taken it with my heart… I am happy with the decision.”

“My family made me doubt that I would look for him in Argentina, but my heart wasn’t in it and today I am happy with the decision I made and what I can dream of with the Mexican team,” concluded Giménez. Naturally, the Feyenoord player’s decision has to do only and exclusively with the feeling he has towards Mexico, the country in which he grew up.

Who is Santiago Giménez?

Santiago Tomás Giménez was born on April 18, 2001 in Argentina. In mid-2004, Chaco was sold to Mexican Veracruz and the family settled in the Aztec lands.

Chaco, who won two Libertadores and an Intercontinental with Boca, settled permanently in Mexico until his retirement in 2017, playing for Cruz Azul.

Santiago grew up in Mexico, where the family put down roots and also saw the birth of his sisters, Agustina and Sofía. He started at the club where his father finished his career, Cruz Azul: 104 games and 21 goals which helped him make the leap to Europe.

Feyenoord of the Netherlands Eredivisie was his next stop. He scored 23 goals in his first season in which he was chosen MVP and has already scored 18 in his second.

He has already played 21 matches with the Mexican national team. At 22 years old, Chaquito already knows what it means to become champion with his team. In mid-2023 he won the Concacaf Gold Cup with Mexico.