From immigrant to unlikely Mexico hero: Julián Quiñones pushes El Tri to World Cup history

It was a moment that seemed significant, but not one that would change the course of Mexican soccer history.

Julián Quiñones proved to be a better soccer player than actor in a clip made for social media in which he gave his biographical details and said chilaquiles are his favorite food, but the important part came at the end. Asked “Nationality?” Quiñones said, “Mexican.”

Quiñones, a proud immigrant from Colombia who arrived in Mexico as a teenager to play in Tigres’ youth system and stayed for nearly a decade, would suit up for El Tri.

Immigrant journeys are familiar to nearly every Mexican. Most people know someone who has gone to “el gabacho” to work, sending money back to their family. Quiñones’ story is different, with Mexico the destination that allowed him to provide for his family and reach his goals, but he identifies with the American dream.

“There are people who go to the United States to look for a better life, and that should be applauded. That’s sacrifice,” he said Tuesday night after scoring for Mexico in a 2-0 win over Ecuador. “Just like I did, there are people who are doing the same, little by little, and you have (to) value that. They should never feel less than for looking for the best for their family, the best for them. No one should tell them they can’t do it.”

Quiñones isn’t listening to any haters. He may end up not just being a Mexico international but becoming the Mexican with the most goals ever scored at the World Cup.

His goal Tuesday night was his third of the tournament. That puts him level all-time with Mexico legends Rafa Marquez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco and a goal away from tying Chicharito and Luis “El Matador” Hernandez, who each scored four.

Quiñones also assisted Raul Jimenez on the second goal, capping a blistering start from Mexico that overwhelmed an Ecuador defense that seemed stunned by the way El Tri was connecting passes.

Those passes often ended up on the foot of Quiñones, who showed on the goal how he can surge forward with the ball on his foot and become nearly impossible to stop but also put together several impressive combinations.

Few expected Quiñones to be such a key contributor for El Tri, yet his early goal against South Africa in the World Cup opener meant more chances that he has been able to make the most of in front of goal.

“Life is always like that, right? You fight and fight until you get what you want,” he said. “I’m taking advantage of the opportunity as well as I can.”

It’s a chance to show how grateful he is for a country that gave him his start. Tigres plucked Quiñones from a non-profit academy program in Cali, Colombia, called Futbol Paz, with a mission to “give sporting, educational and social opportunities to hundreds of children.”

While he played for Colombia at the U-20 level, he opted against accepting a senior Colombia call to leave the door open on representing Mexico.

He had fallen in love with Mexico − and a Mexican, his wife Ana Gabriela − and felt he would be more respected wearing the green of El Tri than the yellow of the Cafeteros.

He earned that respect by winning Liga MX titles with three different clubs, first doing so with Tigres, then becoming a star figure in Atlas’ back-to-back title run, then joining grande Club América and again winning consecutive titles.
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Quiñoes later went to Saudi Arabia, where it seemed he had fallen off the radar of Mexico manager Javier Aguirre. Aguirre at one point quipped, “Nobody watches the Saudi league. Nobody.”

However, his goal-scoring form, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney to the golden boot title, made him a player Aguirre had to take into consideration. Even then, though, with Quiñones having played centrally with Al-Qadsiah, Aguirre openly wondered if he needed to play the 29-year-old through the middle.
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Instead, Quiñones returned to the wide position he played earlier in his career and where he often excelled with Mexico. There, he has combined well with center forward Raul Jimenez and given Mexico an attacking dimension it has lacked, even with fellow wing partner Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado able to play the pinpoint passes like the one that freed Quiñones for the opener Tuesday night.

The good form, understandably, has been well received by fans, with some putting his face on the 500 peso bill and many singing his name after Mexico’s first knockout round win in 40 years.

That hasn’t always been the case. A Black man born outside of Mexico, criticism of Quiñones sometimes has crossed the line of what other Mexican players get in a culture that can be harsh on its players − and where club ties run deep.

Yet, Quiñones said he’s not playing to prove anything to anyone but rather trying to put the country that accepted him on high.

“I’m not shutting anybody up. If I didn’t say anything when they criticized me, I’m even less likely to say something right now,” he said. “I think in the happy moments is when you think about this the least. What I think about is enjoying, and I’m always going to do that.”

Players sing their national anthems ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 30, 2026.

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Players sing their national anthems ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Mexico and Ecuador at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 30, 2026.

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Now, Quiñones will look to push Mexico at least one step further, with a match at Estadio Azteca against the winner of England’s showdown with the DR Congo. The attacker said he’s confident in the team’s strengths to help it match its best-ever World Cup performance by reaching a quarterfinal.

“Work, union, the family we have. We know what we’re playing for. We don’t want our family, our fans to be disappointed, all the Mexicans who always have supported us,” he said. “Today we came out to play for everything and that’s how we play every game.”

Plenty of players talk about how much effort they put into a game. Quiñones shows it, rarely speaking to the press (except, as was the case Tuesday, when mandated to as the official Man of the Match) and preferring to let his game speak for itself.

Seeing his effort and hearing that one word he spoke in the introductory video, “Mexican,” the way he identifies and something that brings him pride is enough for his national team teammates, the El Tri coaching staff and a nation of fans who are watching a kid from Colombia write Mexican soccer history.