Mexico's unlikely hero who England could fear most

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Mexico's unlikely hero who England could fear most Figure caption, 'The Azteca erupts! ' Quinones fires Mexico into leadByEmlyn BegleyBBC Sport journalistPublished7 hours agoJulian Quinones' path to being a Mexican hero has been unorthodox - not least because he is from Colombia - and he will hope to become a legend against England. The World Cup last-16 tie in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium will kick off at 01:00 BST on Monday morning, and it is a game you can watch live on One.

England fans will be more than aware of Mexico's number nine Raul Jimenez, the Wolves striker who also had a spell at Fulham. But Quinones, last season's Saudi Pro League golden boot winner, has been making waves on the left wing - and could cause problems in England's highly debated right-back position in the high Mexican altitude. The 29-year-old has already scored three times at the World Cup - including the tournament opener against South Africa, against the Czechs and in the last 32 against Ecuador.

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Colombian born, but he loves MexicoQuinones was born in Magui Payan in southern Colombia, not too far from the Ecuadorian border, and grew up in some poverty. "It's a very far away, forgotten village," he said in a recent interview. "Knowing I could overcome everything, even with all the difficulties and the lack of support, motivates me even more to keep on fighting, doing my best with every ball I get and in every match.

I also do it for my family. "At the age of 17 he left his amateur team Futbol Paz to join Mexican side Tigres. "I was young and I hesitated when thinking about leaving my country, in order to pursue new goals and paths," he said.

He would come to think of Mexico as "my country" and now has a Mexican wife and children. Quinones spent eight years there with Tigres, Atlas and Club America - plus three loan moves too. Having previously represented Colombia at youth level in 2017 and 2018, he heard nothing from his homeland while he was banging in the goals - over 70 of them - in the Mexican top flight.

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By the time a call from Colombia came in 2023 he was eligible to play for Mexico through naturalisation - and so joined their squad instead. "I found a very generous country," he said. "People welcome you, help you stand out, grow personally, and I loved it, so, little by little, I started to settle, I felt welcomed.

I'll always be very grateful for those moments. "Mexico made me a great person. I didn't have great references from Colombia, because I was not very wise back then, but Mexico welcomed me with arms wide open, knowing one has good and bad moments in life.

I learned a lot from that. "He won six league titles in Mexico, two with each of his permanent teams - although the Mexican league has two champions each year.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.