Is Julián Quiñones the solution for the Mexican national team?: trajectory, controversies and naturalization

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The Águilas attacker was called up by Jaime Lozano for the Mexican national team and at GOAL we look back at his career.

Colombian by birth, Mexican by naturalization. Is Julian Quinones (26), before the eagles of Americaone of the highest status forwards in Mexican football.

‘La Pantera’, as he is known, was eventually called up by Jaime Lozano to be part of the training group of the Mexican squadahead of the friendlies that the United States will have against their counterparts from Australia and Uzbekistan.

Quiñones will be led by ‘Jimmy’ for 4 days, but will not be part of the Mexican delegation traveling to the American Union to play the preparation matches at the FIFA Date in September. However, only documentation details remain to make Julián eligible for the tri-color quarterback.

Together with Santiago Giménez, the Nariño-born man is one of the biggest bets for Mexico’s process towards the 2026 World Cup. But why did he naturalize, where did he come from and why so much controversy after his call-up to the national team? GOAL we tell you:

CAREER AND FIRST STEPS

Julián Quinones Lobos BUAP

Julián Quiñones was born and raised in Colombia, where he would make his debut years later in the Football Peace FC with 17 years, an academy for young coffee talents. Thanks to his good physical and athletic condition, Julián quickly attracted the attention of scouts and scouts of important South American teams. However, it was the UANL Tigers who eventually took over the striker’s services, before coming of age.

After completing his signing, Quiñones was loaned to several Mexican soccer teams to continue his training process with Venados de Mérida in Ascenso MX and Lobos BUAP in the First Division. After finishing his time with these teams, Julián returned to the Sultana del Norte to join Tigres, a team in full swing winning four league titles in recent years and one of the best teams in the Aztec football. does not turn out the way he would have liked.

In front of him he was with figures like André-Pierre Gignac, Eduardo Vargas and Enner Valencia, already consolidated players and great references of the Felines attack. As a result, Julián could not get a place in the starting eleven of the team led by Ricardo Ferretti and was completely relegated to the bench and without any chances.

ATLAS AND THE DOUBLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Julián Quinones Atlas Clausura 2023Credit: Getty

After three years of breaking stone in San Nicolás de los Garza, Quiñones was transferred in 2021 to the Atlas of the First Division of Mexican football, a team in which he would fully exploit his abilities and where he would be a real figure.

Julián was the architect of the second championship in the history of the Rojinegros, having been crowned champion in the 2021 Apertura Final against León, ending a 70-year streak without a title for that of Perla Tapatía. One tournament later, he would form a deadly duo with Julio Furch, leading them to clinch the two-time championship after beating the Tuzos del Pachuca in the Clausura 2022 finals.

Thanks to his good performances, Quiñones gradually gained status among the Mexican football forwards until he powerfully attracted the attention of important clubs such as América and Rayados de Monterrey.

NATURALIZATION PROCESS

During his time at Atlas, Julián began his naturalization process. finally, in 2022, he succeeded in completing the nationalization exam for the SRE (Secretary of Foreign Relations).

CONTROVERSIONS

During his early years in Mexico, more specifically during his time at Lobos BUAP. Quiñones was separated from the first team a few times for arriving at training with alcoholic breath.

Years later he also got some friction with elements of the Tigers, this was one of the reasons why the board decided to sell him.

In Atlas, Julián caused controversy a few days before the Clásico Tapatío when he posted a series of photos on social media mocking his city rival.

The last and most recent, in the duel against Cruz Azul for matchday 7 of the Apertura 2023, Julían Quiñones made an obscene sign to Juan Escobar, after repeatedly feuding with various elements of La Máquina.

AMERICA AND PRESENT

Julián Quiñones America Opening 2023Getty

After two years of high-level performance with La Academia, Quiñones was sold to the Águilas del América for just over $8 million.

‘La Pantera’ registers 6 goals and 3 assists in 9 games played with the Coapa team during the 2023 Apertura and the 2023 Leagues Cup. Numbers even better than iconic forwards such as Salvador Cabañas and Christian Benítez.

Source: Goal

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