Julian Quinones: Mexico's World Cup scorer and Saudi Golden Boot winner

The day after scoring the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup, Julian Quinones was being celebrated in Mexico and discussed in Colombia. By scoring against South Africa at Estadio Azteca, he became the first Colombian-born player to score a World Cup goal for another country, and Mexico — where he was given a career and a national team shirt — became his stage.

He grew up playing barefoot in Magui Payan, often sneaking out to play until late and sometimes returning home without eating. Coaches at Futbol Paz credit those early games with shaping his ankle strength, balance and power; teammates called him 'Pantera', and one mentor said he attacked the goal like a lion.

He moved to Mexico and joined Tigres in 2016, where he found time, visibility and belief. Quinones was central to Atlas's revival after leaving Tigres in 2021, helping the club lift back-to-back titles and scoring in the 2022 Clausura first leg at Estadio Jalisco.

Mexico

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