Santiago Gimenez, currently sidelined after ankle surgery in recent weeks, was interviewed by ESPN. The Milan striker spoke about his injury, the decision to undergo surgery, and much more. These were his statements:
Santi, how is your ankle injury progressing?
"It has been difficult because there were a few weeks when I was playing through pain. The injury kept getting worse. I had to stop, but now I just want to focus on the present and the future, not dwell on the past. I’m motivated because I feel I’m recovering well, and I hope that in a few weeks I’ll be able to play again."
Is it true the injury started to become a problem during last summer’s Gold Cup?
"Yes, it has been going on for a long time. At first, it was just a small pain, and as players, if we feel a bit of pain, we keep playing. It’s normal for us. But I think that was a mistake. I know any player would do the same because we love to play, we love to keep playing, but even before the Gold Cup, I had pain. And then it kept getting worse, so it was time to stop."
Did it reach a point where you had to decide on surgery to be ready for the World Cup?
"Yes, absolutely. Last May, I couldn’t believe I had this opportunity with Milan, with the World Cup, with my national team, with my people. But then the pain started to make itself felt, and it was time to decide: surgery or not. It’s an important season with Milan, and then there’s the World Cup, so it was a tough decision. But now, a month after the operation, I can say it was the best choice. I’m really happy I had surgery, and I can’t wait to come back stronger."
You play alongside Christian Pulisic at Milan and have become good friends. Did he help you during your injury, or is the USA-Mexico rivalry too strong? Gimenez replied:
"This is always a topic in the locker room with everyone. They make jokes or ask: 'Who is stronger, USA or Mexico?' I start saying Mexico, Pulisic says USA, and it turns into a fight in the locker room, but always with affection! If we play a match with our national teams, we’re enemies, rivals. But in the locker room, he’s one of my best friends. We’re always together, and I hope that if he’s not playing against Mexico, he does well. But if he plays against Mexico, of course, if I have to stop him, I will! He has been a really great friend during this tough time. We have a lot in common. We like the NFL: he supports the Jets, I support the Dolphins. Sometimes I go to his house, we have a barbecue and watch NFL. So he’s a great teammate, a good friend, but in the end, if he’s wearing the USA jersey, he’s a rival."
How do you assess Mexico and the USA’s chances at the World Cup?
"Playing a World Cup in your own country is incredible, and we have this opportunity. Our families will be there: it’s our people, our stadium, our country, so we have to be strong, and we will be. I think the USA has a very strong team. I believe they could reach the quarter-finals. They’re strong. I’d like to play against the USA at the World Cup because of the rivalry football brings, and the fans love it. For us, winning the Gold Cup last year was fantastic because our rivalry started a long time ago and still continues. I know the fans love beating the USA, so we were very happy to win the Gold Cup against them."
With your ankle recovering and the World Cup ahead, what does a perfect 2026 look like for Santi Gimenez?
"I just want to be okay with my ankle. I think that’s the main goal. I want to be 100%. And if my ankle is fine, I believe everything else will come automatically. After that, I’ll focus on the World Cup. For the World Cup, I’ll be ready."
