It was meant to be his grand stage, but instead it risks becoming the final snapshot of a Rossoneri adventure that never truly got off the ground. Gimenez arrived at the World Cup with bold words, almost a personal manifesto: Mexico would win the tournament and he would finish as its top scorer. It was a brave prediction, but one that never came to pass, because the pitch told a very different story.
Santiago Gimenez with zero goals and few minutes in the World Cup...
Gimenez's World Cup was the exact opposite of what he had envisioned. No goals, very little playing time, and no genuine technical performances to show either Milan or potential buyers. He remained on the bench for the entire opening match against South Africa, confirming that he was low in Javier Aguirre's pecking order. Mexico were then knocked out in the Round of 16 by England after an intensely contested and highly charged match.
For Gimenez, however, the main issue was not the elimination itself, but the feeling that he had never made any real impact. The World Cup could have been the perfect shop window to relaunch his career, convince Amorim to keep him, or at least attract interested clubs. Instead, the tournament that was supposed to mark his revival became yet another missed opportunity.
To make matters worse, Gimenez also suffered an ankle injury against England. Medical tests ruled out any fractures or serious ligament damage, but it is still a sprain that will need to be monitored ahead of pre-season, which, just like last year, is set to be disrupted.
For Milan, the Gimenez situation has therefore become particularly delicate. El Bebote was already facing an uncertain future before the World Cup, but now his position is even more precarious, especially following the signing of Gonçalo Ramos. The arrival of the Portuguese striker sends an unmistakable tactical message: he will be the new first-choice centre-forward in Milan's sporting project.
Gimenez, by contrast, appears increasingly on the fringes. His talent has never been in question, but Milan need answers that the World Cup simply failed to provide. His last chance, at least symbolically, has now passed, and El Bebote failed to seize it. This was relayed via Milan News today.
