Mexico striker Raul Jimenez says he is loving life in Wolverhampton
Raul Jimenez says he is delighted with life at Wolves as the Mexican thrives on his relaxed lifestyle in the city.
The 28-year-old striker told the Express & Star that he is loving living in Wolverhampton, as he bids to build on his 15-goal tally at Norwich tomorrow.
The former Club America, Atletico Madrid and Benfica ace spoke of a possible future return to La Liga in a recent interview in Spain, but insisted he is happy to be at Wolves, where he is enjoying the best season of his career.
He said: “I’m very good here. I’m living very well.”
Jimenez was speaking from Compton Care, as he joined Adama Traore, Pedro Neto and club legend Steve Bull to spread Christmas cheer at the hospice.
The striker helped hand out Christmas goodie-bags, signed autographs and even surprised resident Neil Whittaker with a 60th birthday cake.
And he was happy to help.
He said: "It is good for us to help.
"These people need something special at this time of the year.
"They are our neighbours and it is important for us to be involved with all of them.
"We saw their happiness and it is amazing."
And after visiting Compton Care he thanked fans for letting him live a quiet life away from Molineux.
The striker has settled in Wolverhampton with girlfriend Daniela Basso and five-month-old Labrador puppy Dobby, named after the house elf from Harry Potter.
He said: “I can go outside, I can go out to the supermarket, to the street. Some people recognise me, some people shake hands, sometimes they ask for a picture. I like it very much here.”
He added: “In Mexico it is very difficult to be outside. In Portugal because I played for Benfica, the biggest club in the country, it was difficult (to keep a low profile).
“In Wolverhampton the people know you, maybe they see you, but they leave you like you are one of them, one of the city. It is so quiet, I like it here.”
Jimenez has made 28 appearances so far for Wolves in all competitions and with his international commitments with Mexico adding to that schedule, he was pleased to rest this Monday and Tuesday.
But now he is focused on bouncing back from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at Norwich.
He said: “It (time off) was very good, we deserve a rest. It is not too good after a defeat, but we were playing very well.
“In my case I did it well, I rested and now we have another game and we will be 100 per cent.”
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen’s last minute header ended Wolves 11-game unbeaten run in the Premier League on Sunday.
But Jimenez wants eighth-placed Wolves to take heart from that performance as they head to Carrow Road.
He said: “It is difficult because we knew that the score could have been different.
“We did not draw but we know that we played very well.
“It was a great match.
“The result was not with us, but that is football.
“If we can continue playing like that, then we can achieve very good things.”
