Raul Jimenez shares his typical matchday routine before arriving at Molineux, ready for action.
In the hotel pre-match
“I try to wake up as late as I can. Breakfast is optional and then the pre-match meal is 11.45am usually. When I wake up, I go to the dining room, then I go back to my room, take a shower and be ready for the game. I’ll go on my phone and watch some videos to pass the time.”
Pre-match meal
“I’ll have some pasta and some proteins, maybe chicken or turkey – that kind of food to give me energy for the game.”
The coach journey in
“Normally I’m by myself. I don’t mind if someone sits by me, but it’s OK by myself. Sometimes I listen to music, but sometimes from the hotel to the stadium my dad calls me, or I call Daniela to say I’m ready for the game and everything is good.”
In the dressing room
“At home, I sit next to Jonny. Away it’s by numbers, so I’m by the side of Ruben and Podence. If we’re in the starting 11, we try to talk about what we can do together to help the team.”
Pre-match emotions
“I always feel good and confident because we are a good team and will try to win every game. It’s just about being calm for the game, to be ready.”
Meeting the opposition
“It’s difficult because not too many players or staff at other teams are Mexican, but I used to play with some other players and will speak to them. Sometimes I go outside before the game to the pitch, sometimes I stay in the dressing room listening to music.”
Pre-match music
“I listen to any kind of music, usually Spanish. It could be pop, electronic, everything, just a mix.”
Rituals before the game
“I don’t know if it counts as a superstition, but I always put my right boot first before the left. I’ve always done that in my career.”
The teams are in
“Before, in the hotel, we have meetings. They send us different things about the goalkeepers and defenders. So, when we know who is playing, we already know how they play and how we can get an advantage.”
In the tunnel
“I’m excited – calm, but excited for the game to start. The only thing I want to do is to play. I get excited being there, normally my family are there, so I want to be on the pitch and give them happiness seeing me do what I love.”
