For decades, Mexico’s national team has leaned heavily on homegrown forwards. But in Julián Quiñones, El Tri has embraced a different story — that of a foreign-born player who adopted Mexico as his footballing home and now wears its colours with pride. Born in Colombia, Quiñones made his name in Liga MX before gaining Mexican citizenship and committing his future to El Tri. Powerful, dynamic, and prolific, he arrives as one of the country’s most in-form strikers, a player who could add a new edge to Mexico’s attack heading into the 2026 World Cup.
From Colombia to Mexico
Quiñones was born in Magüí Payán, Colombia, and began his football journey with Independiente. As a teenager, he was recruited to Mexico, joining Tigres UANL’s youth system. While he initially struggled to break into Tigres’ star-studded first team, loan spells with Venados and Lobos BUAP gave him the chance to adapt to Mexican football’s physicality and rhythm.
His big breakthrough came with Atlas. There, Quiñones blossomed into a lethal forward, playing a central role in the club’s historic back-to-back Liga MX titles in 2021 and 2022. His goals, tireless running, and ability to deliver in decisive moments turned him into one of the league’s standout performers. In 2023, he secured a move to Club América, where he has continued his prolific form in one of the most demanding environments in Mexican football.
Playing Style
Quiñones is a forward who blends power with versatility. Strong and explosive, he is capable of playing as a central striker or as a wide forward cutting inside. His acceleration makes him difficult to contain in open space, while his physicality allows him to hold his own against defenders.
In front of goal, he is clinical. Comfortable with both feet, he scores from a variety of positions: poacher’s finishes inside the box, long-range strikes, or headers from crosses. Beyond goals, he contributes with link-up play, pressing defenders, and creating space for teammates through unselfish runs.
His greatest asset, however, may be his mentality. Quiñones plays with hunger and relentlessness, often chasing lost causes and imposing himself physically in duels. That intensity makes him a nightmare for defenders over 90 minutes.
Choosing El Tri
For years, Quiñones was viewed as a Colombian talent playing abroad. But after gaining Mexican citizenship in 2023, he declared for Mexico, making him eligible to represent El Tri. The decision was met with excitement by fans, many of whom had admired his consistency in Liga MX and saw him as a natural fit for the national team’s attacking needs.
His inclusion reflects a pragmatic approach: Mexico, often criticised for lacking a killer instinct in front of goal, now have a proven finisher who knows the league, the culture, and the expectations of wearing the green shirt.
Contributions to El Tri
Still at the start of his international career, Quiñones has only just begun making appearances for Mexico. Yet his profile fills a clear gap: a strong, goal-scoring forward who can complement or compete with Henry Martín and Santiago Giménez.
In early outings, his willingness to work hard and stretch defences has been evident. Fans expect that as he settles, his goals will follow — and that his club form will translate to the international stage.
Looking Ahead to 2026
By the time the World Cup arrives, Quiñones will be 29 — the perfect age for a striker. For El Tri, his presence offers options: he can start as a centre-forward, operate from the wing, or serve as a high-impact substitute. His physical profile also provides something different to Mexico’s traditional strikers.
If he maintains his form with América, Quiñones could enter the tournament as one of Mexico’s most reliable attacking weapons. In a team looking for efficiency in front of goal, his contributions may prove decisive.
Conclusion
Julián Quiñones’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and ambition. From Colombia to Mexico, from Tigres to América, he has built a career on goals and grit. Now, as part of El Tri, he has the chance to write a new chapter — one that could make him central to Mexico’s World Cup dream on home soil.
For fans, he represents both strength and hope: a forward who embodies the hunger and edge Mexico will need in 2026.