Santiago Giménez: Stats, Career & Market Value

Who is Santiago Giménez?

Santiago Gimenez is one of the world’s most talked about young strikers. The Mexico international, known as “Chaquito” has made headlines across the globe, including in Mexico, Holland, and Italy, thanks to his prolific goalscoring record and an upcoming move to AC Milan.

This article examines his career and statistics. It also explains his transfer history and answers many of the questions that are asked about him. For example, why has he not played consistently, what Milan paid to acquire him, and his family background.

Early life and family

Santiago Tomas Gimenez is a Argentinean born on 18 April 2001. When he was a child, his family moved to Mexico. This allowed him to develop and grow in Mexican football.

His father, Christian Gimenez is a retired Argentine and Mexican footballer. He played as an attacking middlefielder. Chaco was a legend of Cruz Azuul, and he also represented Mexico on the international stage. Santiago’s upbringing in a football-loving environment inspired him to take his career seriously.

Less is known about his mother. She has kept a low profile, supporting her husband and son from the shadows, while Chaco and Santiago’s careers have been in the spotlight.

Club Career

Cruz Azul

Santiago was a teenager when he joined the youth academy at Cruz Azul. This is one of Mexico’s largest clubs. In 2017, he was 16 when he made his Copa MX debut.

He played nearly 90 games for Cruz Azul between 2017 and 2022. In that time, he scored around 20 goals. He gradually increased his playing time, and by 2020 had established himself among the most promising forwards of Liga MX.

He joined Cruz Azul at the same time as the team won the historic Liga MX 2021 title. This ended a 23 year drought for the club. He was also a part of the Copa MX campaign and received recognition for being a hardworking, technically gifted player.

Feyenoord

Gimenez signed for Feyenoord of the Netherlands in July 2020. Gimenez was a perfect fit for the Dutch Eredivisie, which is known for its great ability to develop attacking talent.

• In his (2022-23) season, he scored 23 times in all competitions. This helped Feyenoord to win the Eredivisie.
• He became Europe’s most sought-after player in the season 2023-24 by scoring more than 20 league goals, and reaching double figures in European competitions.
• He had scored 65 times in 105 matches before he left Feyenoord in early 2025. This made him one of the most prolific foreign strikers in recent years.

His success in the Netherlands has put him on radars of major European clubs in particular in Italy and England.

AC Milan

Santiago Gimenez made a highly-publicized transfer in February 2020 to AC Milan. It was estimated that the deal would be worth EUR32,000,000. This made him one of Feyenoord’s most expensive transfers. The contract runs until 2029.

He was given the iconic number 7, and expectations were high. The club saw him in a plan to revitalize the attack which relied heavily on older players over recent seasons.

Gimenez is yet to make a significant number of appearances for Serie A or Coppa Italy. Although he is yet to find the same scoring form that he had at Feyenoord it’s widely accepted that players take time to adjust to the tactical demands and defensive demands of Italian Football.

Santiago Gimenez Stats

Career Totals (by the end of 2025).

• Cruz Azul: ~88 matches, 20 goals
• Feyenoord: 105 matches, 65 goals
• AC Milan : 19 games, 5 goals combined (Serie A and Cup competitions)
• Mexico National Team: 44 caps, 6 goals

Style of Play

Gimenez is well-known for:

• Intelligent movement of the box
• Both feet and head are used to finish the job.
• Ability to contribute on the defensive and press forward.
• A natural instinct for timing runs behind defenders.

Although not the fastest striker in the world, his awareness and calmness make him a dangerous finisher.

Transfer Value and Market Intention

Transfer market analysts estimated his value at EUR29 to EUR36 million when Milan signed him. This was based on his age (24 by 2025), European scoring record, and potential resale price.

Milan was one of several clubs, including Premier League teams, that were watching him. However they did not move quickly to sign him. Even though there were rumors that rival clubs in Serie A were interested, Milan’s offer and project were enough to convince him.

FAQs

Why is Santiago Gimenez not in the team?

There are several reasons why Gimenez does not start consistently at AC Milan.

• Mexico’s Gold Cup duty meant that he missed a large part of Milan’s Asia preseason tour in 2025.
• He was given extra rest after winning the Gold Cup before joining the team, which caused his integration to be delayed.
• Milan’s tactic is challenging, and he’s still adjusting to Serie A defensive style.
• Milan’s competition for attacking roles means that he will not be guaranteed a spot at the start.

What did AC Milan pay to acquire Gimenez?

AC Milan paid Feyenoord approximately EUR32,000,000 for Santiago Gimenez. Some reports claim that the fee could be slightly higher if add-ons are included.

How much did Santiago Gimenez cost?

His move cost Milan between EUR32 and 35 million . This makes him one of the most costly signings in recent club history.

Who is Santi Gimenez?

Santiago’s father, Christian “Chaco” Gimenez is well-known, but his mother is a more private person and does not appear in interviews or coverage of football. She is a great supporter behind the scenes, but she stays out of the spotlight.

Challenges Ahead

It is not easy for attacking players to make the transition from Eredivisie into Serie A. Italian defenders have a more disciplined tactical approach, and there are fewer spaces in the final third compared to Dutch players. Gimenez’s main challenges include:

• Adapting defensive intensity to Serie A.
• Building chemistry With Milan’s midfield creatives
• How to handle the pressure that comes with a high transfer price and expectations from fans.
• Maintaining form while competing against other strikers for a position.

Future Outlook

Santiago Gimenez, despite the initial challenges, is considered one of Mexico’s best hopes in Europe. If he can adapt well, he will be a key attacking player for AC Milan in the long term and could play a major role in their quest to win domestic and European titles.

His growth is important for Mexico. Gimenez will be expected to take the lead and bring European experience into El Tri as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cups.

The conclusion of the article is:

Santiago Gimenez has a remarkable journey. From Buenos Aires, he moved to Cruz Azul and Feyenoord before moving to AC Milan. His talent and dedication are evident in his career. Although his Milan story is just beginning, it’s clear that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.

Mexico and Italy fans will be closely watching to see if “Chaquito”, can take on the challenge of Serie A, and become one of the best strikers in his generation.