Santiago Giménez is the face of Mexico’s next generation. At just 25, he’s already an AC Milan striker, Gold Cup winner, and the most expensive Mexican export since 2019. You know him as “Bebote,” the baby-faced left-footed striker who can’t stop scoring, until ankle surgery slowed him down last season.
Born in Argentina but raised in Mexico, he chose El Tri and broke records at Feyenoord with 65 goals. Now he leads the line at San Siro and eyes the 2026 World Cup at home. His story mixes Eredivisie dominance, Serie A grit, and a family legacy built on football.
Who Is Santiago Giménez? Mexican Striker, AC Milan #7, “Bebote”
Santiago Giménez, a centre-forward who turned heads across Europe. He’s 25 and wears AC Milan’s #7 shirt after a €37M move. You won’t find many players who ditched Argentina for Mexico at three years old. He thrives on quick turns and late runs to the near post.
He grabbed 26 league goals in 2023–24 and lifted the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord. A tough ankle setback hit in Oct 2025, so his first Milan season stalled. Still, scouts call him El Tri’s most complete number nine since Javier Hernández.
Santiago Giménez Bio Profile: 25 Key Facts
This table covers his personal details, physical profile, contract info, and family background.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Santiago Tomás Giménez Zolotarchuk |
| Nickname | Bebote |
| Date of Birth | April 18, 2001 |
| Age | 25 years old |
| Place of Birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Mexico, Argentina |
| Height | 1.85 m / 6’0″ |
| Weight | 79 kg / 174 lbs |
| Position | Centre-Forward, Striker |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Current Club | AC Milan |
| Jersey Number | #7 |
| Contract Until | June 30, 2029 |
| Signed for AC Milan | February 3, 2025 |
| Transfer Fee to Milan | €32M base, up to €37M with add-ons |
| 2025–26 Gross Salary | €4,630,000 fixed / €89,038 per week |
| Estimated Net Worth 2026 | USD 20M – 45M |
| Market Value | €18.0M as of May 29, 2026 |
| Agent | Rafaela Pimenta |
| Youth Club | Cruz Azul Academy |
| Senior Debut | August 2, 2017 for Cruz Azul |
| Mexico Debut | October 27, 2021 vs Ecuador |
| Mexico Caps/Goals | 46 / 6 as of June 2026 |
| Father | Christian “Chaco” Giménez, ex-pro footballer |
| Wife | Fernanda “Fer” Serrano, married May 24, 2024 |
Key Takeaways:
- Giménez holds dual citizenship and chose Mexico over Argentina for his career.
- His €89,038 weekly wage ranks him among AC Milan’s top earners despite his 2026 goal drought.
How Old Is Santiago Giménez? Age, Height, Weight, Nationality
Santiago Giménez turned 25 on April 18, 2026. At 1.85m and 79kg, he’s built like a classic target man but moves like a poacher. He carries both Mexican and Argentine passports. Why Mexico? He moved there at age three when his dad joined Liga MX.
He’s now a naturalized Mexican citizen and El Tri’s main striker. You won’t find many 25-year-olds with 14 trophies already. His left foot does most of the talking. For young American players like Max Arfsten, his path from CONCACAF to Europe is the blueprint.
Santiago Giménez Family: Parents Christian “Chaco” Giménez & María Bernarda, Sisters
His dad, Christian “Chaco” Giménez, is a Cruz Azul legend. Chaco played for Boca Juniors and Pachuca too. He moved the family to Mexico in 2004 and now advises his son. His mom, María Bernarda, stays out of the spotlight but travels to games.
Giménez is the oldest of three. His sister Agustina posts TikToks from San Siro. Youngest sister Sofía plays competitive football in Mexico. The family’s DNA is all football. It’s why he picked Mexico over Argentina without hesitation.
Santiago Giménez Wife Fernanda Serrano: Marriage, How They Met, Career
He met Fernanda “Fer” Serrano during COVID lockdowns in 2020. Both were bored and jumped on Call of Duty together. One game turned into DMs, then dates, then a November 2022 proposal in Rotterdam. They married on May 24, 2024 at a beach in Mexico.
Fer isn’t just a World Cup WAG. She’s a singer, actress, and ex-Disney Channel host. She flew to every Feyenoord and Milan game during his injury rehab. You’ll see her on Instagram hyping his World Cup prep daily.
Fernanda Serrano Net Worth & Job: Disney Channel to World Cup WAG
This table covers her career path, income sources, and public profile as his spouse.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Digital Creator |
| Known For | Disney Channel Latin America host |
| Married | May 24, 2024 to Santiago Giménez |
| Est. Net Worth | USD 1.5M – 3M |
| Instagram Followers | 2.1M+ as of June 2026 |
| Role in His Career | Relocated to Europe, active in rehab support |
Key Takeaways:
- Fernanda Serrano built her own career before meeting him, unlike many player partners.
- Her move to Italy with Giménez shows the personal sacrifice behind his transfer.
Where Does Santiago Giménez Play Now? AC Milan Striker 2025–2026 Season, Stats & Salary
Giménez plays for AC Milan in Serie A. He joined the Rossoneri on Feb 3, 2025 for €37M from Feyenoord. He wears #7 and plays as a left-footed striker at San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy.
His 2025–26 season got wrecked by ankle surgery. He made 16 Serie A apps but scored 0 goals with 1 assist. He earns €89,038 per week gross, or €4.63M yearly. Milan’s contract runs to June 2029. He’s still their long-term No. 9 despite links to Tottenham.
Santiago Giménez Club Career: Cruz Azul to Feyenoord to AC Milan Full Timeline
He started at Cruz Azul’s academy and debuted at 16. In 2021, he helped end their 23-year Liga MX title drought. Feyenoord paid €6M for him in 2022. He repaid them with 65 goals in 105 games. That run included an Eredivisie title and 31 goals in 2023.
AC Milan paid €37M in February 2025 after he broke Mexico’s UCL record. His first six months were electric: 6 Champions League goals. Then an ankle injury in October 2025 stopped him cold. He’s fighting to restart that form now.
Why Did Santiago Giménez Leave Feyenoord for AC Milan? Transfer Explained
This table explains the factors behind his mid-season 2025 transfer.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | €32M + €5M add-ons, Feyenoord club-record sale |
| Timing | Feb 3, 2025, after 6 UCL goals in group stage |
| Reason | Step up to Serie A, UCL knockout football |
| Player View | “Dream to play at San Siro” – Jan 2025 interview |
| Cruz Azul Clause | 10% sell-on = ~€3.7M windfall |
Key Takeaways:
- Feyenoord made 6x profit in 30 months on him.
- The move gave him instant UCL knockout minutes before his injury.
Santiago Giménez AC Milan Stats: Goals, Assists, Appearances 2025–2026
This table isolates his AC Milan output across all competitions since transfer.
| Season | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Serie A/UCL/Coppa | 5 | 3 | 1 | 387 |
| 2025–26 | Serie A/UCL/Coppa | 16 | 0 | 1 | 892 |
| Total Milan | All Comps | 21 | 3 | 2 | 1279 |
Key Takeaways:
- He scored 3 in his first 5 Milan games, then 0 in 16 after surgery.
- His 2025–26 xG was 3.8, showing he got chances despite the drought.
How Many Goals Has Santiago Giménez Scored? Career Stats by Club & Season
Across all clubs, he’s hit 89 goals in 231 games. That’s a goal every 2.6 matches. His peak was Feyenoord: 26 goals in 2023–24. Before that, he had 23 in 2022–23 to win the Eredivisie.
Cruz Azul saw slower growth. He managed 21 goals in 105 games there. But that includes teenage years. Since 2022, he’s a proven 20+ scorer per season — until the Milan injury. Young forwards like Cristian Roldan point to his leap as proof MLS-to-Europe paths work.
Santiago Giménez Stats by Season: Goals, Assists, Appearances 2017–2026
This table shows his year-by-year output for every club season.
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | G+A/90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX/Cup | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 2018–19 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX/Cup | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0.18 |
| 2019–20 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0.31 |
| 2020–21 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 36 | 6 | 4 | 0.35 |
| 2021–22 | Cruz Azul | Liga MX | 35 | 7 | 1 | 0.29 |
| 2022–23 | Feyenoord | Eredivisie/UEL | 40 | 23 | 3 | 0.82 |
| 2023–24 | Feyenoord | Eredivisie/UCL/UEL | 40 | 26 | 8 | 1.02 |
| 2024–25 | Feyenoord | Eredivisie/UCL | 25 | 16 | 4 | 0.89 |
| 2024–25 | AC Milan | Serie A/UCL/Coppa | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0.91 |
| 2025–26 | AC Milan | Serie A/UCL/Coppa | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0.07 |
| Total | All Clubs | 2017–2026 | 231 | 89 | 23 | 0.56 |
Key Takeaways:
- His best rate was 1.02 G+A/90 in 2023–24, elite for any league.
- The 2025–26 drop to 0.07 G+A/90 is the anomaly scouts cite in transfer talks.
Santiago Giménez Transfer History & Fees: €37M to Milan, €6M from Cruz Azul
He’s only moved twice for money. Cruz Azul to Feyenoord was €6M for 90% of his rights in July 2022. Feyenoord then sold him to AC Milan for €32M plus €5M add-ons on Feb 3, 2025.
That’s a €31M profit for Feyenoord in 30 months. Cruz Azul still banked ~€3.7M from their 10% sell-on clause. For Mexico, it made him the third-most expensive export ever. Agents now use his deal as a benchmark for talents like Obed Vargas.
Santiago Giménez Transfer History & Fees: Complete Timeline 2017 to 2025
This table details every official transfer in his career, including dates and fees.
| Date | From Club | To Club | Transfer Type | Fee / Valuation | Contract Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2017 | Cruz Azul U20 | Cruz Azul | Academy Promotion | Free | N/A |
| Jul 29, 2022 | Cruz Azul | Feyenoord | Permanent | €4.0M for 50% rights | Jun 2026 |
| Aug 2022–Jul 2023 | N/A | Feyenoord | Clause Activation | +€2.0M for 40% more | Jun 2026 |
| Feb 3, 2025 | Feyenoord | AC Milan | Permanent | €32.0M + €5M add-ons | Jun 30, 2029 |
Key Takeaways:
- His value jumped from €0 to €37M in eight years through two sales.
- Cruz Azul’s sell-on clause means they still profit from his success today.
What Is Santiago Giménez’s Net Worth 2026? Salary, AC Milan Wage Per Week & Year 2025–26
Giménez has seen his wealth explode since leaving Liga MX. You can trace the jump to two moments: his 2022 Feyenoord move and the €37M AC Milan switch in 2025. His base salary now sits at €4.63M fixed per year. Add performance bonuses and deals with Nike and Mexican brands, and his income spiked fast.
Even with his goal drought, Santiago Giménez holds strong commercial pull. He’s Mexico’s face for the 2026 World Cup and a Milan starter when fit. His Italian passport helps with EU sponsor work. Agent Rafaela Pimenta structured his Milan deal with heavy image rights. That means long-term market value matters more than one bad season.
You want to know what Giménez earns at AC Milan. He’s on a gross salary of €4.63M per year, which breaks down to €89,038 per week. That puts him in Milan’s top 10 earners. But his deal includes performance add-ons. If he hits team and goal targets, his package jumps to €5.79M.
Santiago Giménez Net Worth 2026: Earnings, Assets & Endorsements by Year
This table tracks Giménez’s estimated net worth from his Cruz Azul debut through his AC Milan contract, using public salary data, bonuses, endorsements, and market-value.
| Year | Club | Age | Est. Annual Earnings | Est. Cumulative Net Worth | Key Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Cruz Azul | 16 | €50,000 | €50,000 | Senior debut |
| 2021 | Cruz Azul | 20 | €450,000 | €900,000 | Liga MX title |
| 2022 | Feyenoord | 21 | €1,200,000 | €2,100,000 | €6M transfer |
| 2023 | Feyenoord | 22 | €2,800,000 | €4,900,000 | 31 goals calendar year |
| 2024 | Feyenoord | 23 | €3,500,000 | €8,400,000 | KNVB Cup winner |
| 2025 | AC Milan | 24 | €5,790,000 | €14,190,000 | €37M transfer |
| 2026 | AC Milan | 25 | €5,790,000 | €20M–€45M | Ankle injury, World Cup |
Key Takeaways:
- Giménez’s net worth grew 400x from 2017–2026 thanks to his Feyenoord breakout and Milan move.
- 2025 was his peak earning year at €5.79M gross with add-ons.
- Current range reflects €18.5M left on his deal plus endorsements.
Santiago Giménez Market Value: Why Did It Drop From €50M to €18M?
Giménez hit a €50M market value in Dec 2023 after 31 Eredivisie goals. Fast forward to May 2026 and Transfermarkt lists him at €18M. That’s a 64% crash in 18 months. What happened? First, the ankle injury in Oct 2025 killed momentum. He needed arthroscopic surgery and missed 5 months.
Second, he returned to 0 Serie A goals in 892 minutes. Serie A defenders sit deep, and Milan’s system didn’t feed him. Still, AC Milan set a €30M asking price for summer 2026. They’re betting on a World Cup bounce. Tottenham Hotspur already asked about him, but won’t pay pre-injury money.
Will AC Milan Sell Santiago Giménez? €30M Price Tag & Tottenham Links
This table shows Giménez’s Transfermarkt valuation trend and the clubs linked with him as of June 2026.
| Date | Club | Market Value | Change | Transfer Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2023 | Feyenoord | €50.0M | +€25M | Peak, post 31-goal year |
| Mar 20, 2025 | AC Milan | €35.0M | -€5M | Post €37M move |
| Oct 10, 2025 | AC Milan | €25.0M | -€10M | Ankle injury confirmed |
| May 29, 2026 | AC Milan | €18.0M | -€7M | 0 league goals 25/26 |
Key Takeaways:
- Giménez lost €32M in value due to injury and poor Milan form.
- Milan want €30M to sell, hoping buyers see World Cup upside.
- Tottenham, West Ham, and Sunderland have scouted him.
Santiago Giménez Playing Style: Strengths, Weaknesses & Erling Haaland Comparison
Think of Giménez as a classic penalty-box poacher. He lives off sharp off-the-ball movement and one-touch finishes. At 6’0″ he uses his frame to hold up play and bully center-backs. He isn’t a dribbler like Bradley Barcola. Instead, he attacks the blind side and shoots early.
However, he struggles when service dries up. His right foot is weak, and he can go cold for months. Fans compare him to Erling Haaland for his positioning, but he lacks Haaland’s explosive pace. At Feyenoord he ran channels. At Milan he’s stuck battling low blocks. That’s why Mateo Chávez gets more space on the wing than Giménez does centrally.
Santiago Giménez Injury: Ankle Surgery, 0 Goals Serie A 2025–26 Explained
Giménez damaged his right ankle in Oct 2025. The club confirmed arthroscopic surgery in Dec, and he didn’t return until March. You could see the rust. He lost his sharp first step and timing in the box. Massimiliano Allegri also used him as a back-to-goal target man, not a runner.
The result? 0 Serie A goals in 16 apps. It’s the first scoreless league season of his career. For comparison, even Armando González scored twice for Chivas in that span. Giménez told press in June he’s “100% now” and the World Cup is his reset button.
Santiago Giménez Mexico Stats: Caps, Goals, Gold Cup Winner 2023
Giménez has 46 caps and 6 goals for El Tri since 2021. You’ll remember his 88th-minute winner vs Panama in the 2023 Gold Cup final. That moment made him a national hero. He won the tournament again in 2025 plus the Nations League.
Yet he’s streaky for Mexico. He hasn’t scored since Oct 2025. Javier Aguirre still trusts him as the starting No. 9 for the 2026 World Cup because Henry Martín is 33 and Raúl Jiménez is 35. César Huerta will likely supply him from the left.
Santiago Giménez vs Raúl Jiménez: Who Is Mexico’s #9 for World Cup 2026?
This table compares Giménez and Raúl Jiménez on key metrics heading into the home World Cup.
| Metric | Santiago Giménez | Raúl Jiménez |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | 35 |
| 2025–26 Club Goals | 0 Serie A | 8 Premier League |
| Mexico Goals | 6 in 46 | 33 in 108 |
| Playing Style | Poacher, left-foot | Hold-up, aerial |
| 2026 World Cup Role | Likely starter | Veteran backup |
Key Takeaways:
- Giménez has age and pace on Raúl, but Raúl has form and experience.
- Aguirre favors Giménez for pressing and movement vs low blocks.
- One early World Cup goal could lock the job down for Giménez.
Will Santiago Giménez Play World Cup 2026? Mexico Squad, Group A Schedule
Yes, Giménez is in Mexico’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After the Qatar 2022 snub, he told reporters, “I’ll be top scorer.” You can’t get more motivated than that. Mexico is in Group A and plays all games on home soil.
The schedule: South Africa on June 12, South Korea on June 19, and Czechia on June 25. Brian Gutiérrez and Giménez trained as a duo in May camp. If he starts slow, Aguirre may rotate him with Armando González. But the plan is clear: ride the home crowd and feed Bebote early.
Santiago Giménez vs Other Mexican Strikers: Record, Trophies, Market Value Compared
Let’s stack Giménez against today’s top Mexican forwards. It shows why he’s El Tri’s future, even after a rough year. You’ve got to look beyond one season.
Giménez has 89 club goals at 25. Raúl Jiménez had 59 at the same age. Henry Martín has 1 Gold Cup; Giménez has 2. His €50M peak market value beats any active Mexican. Mathys Tel might have higher upside, but he’s French. For Mexico, Giménez is the guy. The next 12 months decide if he joins Hugo Sánchez territory or levels off.
Santiago Giménez vs Other Mexican Strikers: Record, Trophies, Market Value Compared
This table compares Giménez to current Mexican strikers across age, goals, trophies, and value.
| Player | Age | Club Goals | Major Trophies | Peak Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santiago Giménez | 25 | 89 | 14 | €50M |
| Raúl Jiménez | 35 | 157 | 5 | €50M |
| Henry Martín | 33 | 145 | 6 | €8M |
| César Huerta | 25 | 42 | 1 | €6M |
| Armando González | 22 | 18 | 0 | €4M |
Key Takeaways:
- At 25, Giménez already has more trophies than any active Mexican striker.
- His 89 goals and €50M peak value lead all El Tri forwards under 30.
- A strong World Cup could push him past Raúl Jiménez as Mexico’s modern #9.
Conclusion
Santiago Giménez enters the 2026 home World Cup at a crossroads. He’s an AC Milan striker with 89 career goals, two Gold Cups, and a €50M peak market value. Yet a brutal ankle injury and 0 Serie A goals last season left questions. Can he regain his poacher form in time?
Here’s why you should watch him. He’s only 25, plays for a Champions League club, and Mexico needs his movement in the box. If he clicks with César Huerta and stays fit, he could still be El Tri’s top scorer. His story isn’t finished, it’s resetting.
FAQs
Why is Santiago Giménez not playing?
He had ankle surgery in December 2025 and missed five months. He returned in March but struggled for form and played limited minutes.
What nationality is Santiago Giménez?
He holds dual nationality. He was born in Argentina but moved to Mexico at age three and chose to represent El Tri.
How good is Santiago Giménez?
He’s elite in the box with strong left-foot finishing and movement. He scored 65 goals for Feyenoord and won two Gold Cups, though he’s streaky.
How much is Santiago Giménez worth?
His market value is €18M as of May 2026, down from a €50M peak in 2023. AC Milan want €30M to sell him this summer.
Did Santiago Giménez play in the World Cup?
He was left out of the 2022 squad but is in the 2026 Mexico squad. He’s expected to start as the No. 9 at the home tournament.
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Ace Knight is an AI-powered content writer with 2 years of experience covering rising and standout soccer players worldwide.