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Behind the footballer now shining in ’s jersey is a narrative of battle and resilience. Julián Quiñones grew up in Magüí Payán, a city in southern that for years was tormented by poverty, violence, guerrilla exercise, and drug trafficking. Removed from the brilliant lights of main stadiums and the highlight of the 2026 World Cup, his childhood was formed by challenges that made his journey to turning into one among Mexico’s key gamers much more exceptional.
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Colombian by delivery and Mexican by selection, Quiñones was raised surrounded by ladies: his mom, grandmother, and three sisters. His father left the household when he was very younger. Amid hardship, farm work, and a troublesome household atmosphere, soccer emerged as an opportunity to vary his future.
His expertise rapidly started to draw consideration in native tournaments and whereas representing Colombia at youth nationwide group ranges. That potential opened the door for him to maneuver to Mexico in 2015 and be a part of Tigres, a choice that will rework his life.
El delantero mexicano número 16, Julián Quiñones, celebra tras ganar el partido de dieciseisavos de closing de la Copa del Mundo 2026 entre México y Ecuador en el Estadio de la Ciudad de México, en Ciudad de México, el 30 de junio de 2026.
He arrived as a youngster, removed from his household and homeland, however present in Mexico a spot the place he may develop as a footballer, construct a household, win titles, and forge a brand new id.
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Over time, as he starred in Liga MX with golf equipment comparable to Tigres, Atlas, and América, Quiñones didn’t obtain the identical degree of recognition from Colombia’s senior nationwide group. Mexico, nonetheless, welcomed him and made him really feel valued.
“Mexico opened its doorways for me to develop into the particular person I’m at the moment, and I imagine one of the best ways to thank them for every part is by enjoying for the nationwide group and giving my highest, simply as they’ve given a lot to me all through these years,” the ahead advised TUDN.
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At the moment, Quiñones resides the opposite aspect of that story. The boy who grew up going through adversity in Colombia and traveled to Mexico seeking a possibility is now one among El Tri’s standout gamers on the 2026 World Cup, a footballer who represents energy, willpower, and a narrative of perseverance that resonates with hundreds of Mexican followers.
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The place was Julián Quiñones born and the way previous is he?
Julián Andrés Quiñones Quiñones was born on March 24, 1997, in Magüí, Nariño, Colombia. He’s presently 29 years previous and performs primarily as a striker, though he’s additionally able to working on the wings, in response to Transfermarkt.
Though he was born in Colombia, Quiñones constructed just about his total skilled profession in Mexico. He arrived within the nation in 2015 to affix Tigres UANL’s youth academy after standing out in Cali’s youth soccer system.
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Julie Ertz of the USA celebrates with the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Trophy following her group’s victory within the 2019 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Ultimate in opposition to the Netherlands on July 7, 2019, in Lyon, France.
Ertz was born and raised in Mesa and is married to former Arizona Cardinals tight finish Zach Ertz. She performed on the USA’s 2015 and 2019 title-winning groups.
(Richard Heathcote/Getty Photos)
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Julie Ertz of the USA celebrates with the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Trophy following her group’s victory within the 2019 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Ultimate in opposition to the Netherlands on July 7, 2019, in Lyon, France.
Ertz was born and raised in Mesa and is married to former Arizona Cardinals tight finish Zach Ertz. She performed on the USA’s 2015 and 2019 title-winning groups.
(Richard Heathcote/Getty Photos)
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Robbie Findley (20) of the US evades Marko Suler of Slovenia through the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group C match in opposition to Slovenia on June 18, 2010, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Findley, who grew up in Phoenix, performed for the U.S. within the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
(Stanley Chou/Getty Photos)
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Jessica McDonald of the USA celebrates following the group’s victory within the 2019 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup Ultimate in opposition to the Netherlands on July 7, 2019, in Lyon, France.
McDonald grew up within the Phoenix space and appeared on the 2019 title-winning group.
(Elsa/Getty Photos)
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Mexico midfielder #22 Richard Ledezma celebrates scoring his group’s second objective throughout a pleasant soccer match in opposition to Ghana on the Cuauhtemoc Stadium in Puebla, Mexico, on Could 22, 2026.
Ledezma was born in Phoenix and is representing Mexico within the 2026 World Cup.
(ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
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Sophia Smith of the USA controls the ball through the FIFA Ladies’s World Cup 2023 Group E match in opposition to Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Smith is married to Cardinals extensive receiver Michael Wilson and performed within the 2023 World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.
(Buda Mendes/Getty Photos)
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Ivory Coast ahead and captain Didier Drogba celebrates after his group scored throughout a Group C soccer match in opposition to Greece in Fortaleza through the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 24, 2014.
Drogba, a Chelsea FC legend, performed for the Phoenix Rising in 2017-18. He appeared in three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014) for Ivory Coast.
(GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
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Panama midfielder Carlos Harvey (14) runs with the ball throughout a pleasant worldwide soccer match between South Africa and Panama in Cape City on March 31, 2026.
Harvey, a former Rising participant, is representing Panama within the 2026 World Cup.
(GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
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Jearl Margaritha of Curacao runs with the ball through the FIFA Sequence match in opposition to China PR at Accor Stadium on March 27, 2026, in Sydney, Australia.
Margaritha performed for the Rising in 2024-25 and is representing Curacao within the 2026 World Cup.
(Darrian Traynor/Getty Photos)
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Carl Sainté of Haiti (left) and Ben Waine #18 of New Zealand battle for the ball within the second half throughout a global pleasant match at Chase Stadium on June 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Sainté performed for the Rising in 2025 and was on Haiti’s 2022 World Cup roster. He’s additionally taking part within the 2026 contest.
(Megan Briggs/Getty Photos)Who does Julián Quiñones play for?
On the membership degree, Quiñones presently performs for Al-Qadsiah FC within the Saudi Professional League. The ahead joined the Saudi membership in 2024 from Membership América and, in response to his Transfermarkt profile, is underneath contract via 2029.
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Earlier than transferring to , Quiñones established himself as one among Liga MX’s high stars, profitable championships with Tigres, Atlas, and América.
Which golf equipment has Julián Quiñones performed for?
Julián Quiñones’ profession has included:
Futbol Paz, in Colombia, the place he developed via the youth ranks.
Tigres UANL, the membership that introduced him to Mexico in 2015.
Venados de Mérida, the place he performed on mortgage.
Lobos BUAP, the place he emerged as a prolific goalscorer in Liga MX.
Atlas, the place he received back-to-back league titles and have become a fan favourite.
Membership América, the place he additionally received a championship and additional solidified his popularity as a star participant.
Al-Qadsiah FC, his present membership in Saudi Arabia.
In Mexico, his spell with Atlas proved particularly important. He initially joined the membership on mortgage earlier than being signed completely. With the Guadalajara-based aspect, he helped finish a protracted championship drought by profitable two consecutive Liga MX titles. Later, in 2023, Membership América reached an settlement with Atlas to safe his switch.
Why does Julián Quiñones play for Mexico if he’s colombian?
Quiñones represents Mexico as a result of he obtained Mexican citizenship and have become eligible to play for the nationwide group. The ahead obtained his naturalization certificates in October 2023 and was known as as much as the later that very same 12 months.
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His choice was pushed by each private {and professional} causes. Mexico is the nation the place he established himself as a participant, began a household, and achieved the best successes of his membership profession. Since arriving at Tigres in 2015, his profession has been carefully tied to Mexican soccer.
The striker has mentioned that representing Mexico’s nationwide group was his manner of giving again to the nation that gave him a lot. For Quiñones, carrying El Tri’s jersey was not only a soccer alternative—it was additionally a gesture of gratitude towards the place the place he was in a position to set up himself as an expert and construct the life he has at the moment.
Did the additionally attempt to recruit Julián Quiñones?
Sure. Studies point out that Colombia tried to recruit Julián Quiñones earlier than his dedication to Mexico grew to become official.
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In the course of the peak years of his Liga MX profession, the ahead didn’t obtain the identical degree of assist or recognition from Colombia’s senior nationwide group. That solely strengthened the notion that Mexico really valued him, giving him the chance to symbolize the nation on the most important stage of his profession.
In 2023, that the striker revealed he by no means even learn the letter despatched by the Colombian Soccer Federation whereas Mexico was additionally pursuing him.
“I at all times felt it in my coronary heart. When the chance from Colombia got here, I used to be on trip with my household in Colombia. My agent requested me, ‘Did you learn the letter?’ and I advised him, ‘No, I’m not going to learn Colombia’s letter,’ and we rejected it. Colombia’s representatives approached me, got here to see me, and spoke with me, however I at all times advised them no,” he advised TUDN that 12 months.
The attacker in the end selected Mexico and has since develop into one of the vital gamers in El Tri’s plans.
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Who’s Julián Quiñones’ spouse?
Julián Quiñones is married to Ana Gabriela Quiñones Amato, a Mexican communications graduate, mannequin, and social media influencer. By her social media platforms, she shares content material targeted on life-style, journey, and health.
Julián and Ana Gabriela started their relationship in 2022, when the ahead was enjoying for Atlas in Guadalajara and having fun with among the finest stretches of his skilled profession. After a number of months of relationship, the soccer participant proposed throughout a personal dinner in November 2022.
The couple had been married in a civil ceremony in December 2022, and one 12 months later they celebrated their non secular marriage ceremony surrounded by household and shut buddies. They’re additionally the mother and father of a daughter named Alanna, who was born on December 26, 2023.
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Certainly one of Mexico’s standout gamers on the 2026 World Cup
Quiñones’ story has been fully reworked at this World Cup. The ahead arrived as one of the carefully scrutinized naturalized gamers and has since develop into one of the beloved figures amongst Mexican followers.
His objective in opposition to highlighted his significance to Mexico’s assault and strengthened the assumption that El Tri has discovered a particular participant, highly effective, direct, fearless in one-on-one conditions, and able to making an influence within the largest matches. For a nationwide group that spent years trying to find higher attacking firepower, Quiñones has emerged as an instantaneous reply.
At the moment, the Colombian-born ahead who selected to symbolize Mexico is among the faces of El Tri on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His story connects two nations, however his current is undeniably inexperienced.
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