Julián Quiñones' criticism of Javier Aguirre after the World Cup: "He was wrong"

The Colombian-born Mexican did not play the full 90 minutes in the round of 16

Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there were many doubts about whether the then-manager of the Mexican National Team, Javier 'Vasco' Aguirre, would include Julián Quiñones, the Colombian-born Mexican player from Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Arabian League, in his starting eleven. A little over a month later, looking back, that doubt seems almost ridiculous; time puts everything into perspective.

However, despite scoring a record of four goals in a single World Cup for a Mexican player, a feat achieved by Luis 'Matador' Hernández in the 1998 edition of France, and also equaling the all-time World Cup record with Hernández and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, the top scorer in that Middle Eastern country still had things to accomplish at North America 2026.

Julián Quiñones' criticism of Javier Aguirre

"Oh yeah, he messed up. The old man made a mistake," were the short but substantial words of the former Tigres UANL, Lobos BUAP, Atlas, and Club América player directed at Javier Aguirre.

This was all because, after scoring a goal at the end of the first half of the Round of 16 match at Estadio Ciudad de México, better known as Estadio Azteca, which narrowed the gap from two goals to one against England, Quiñones was substituted by Guillermo "Memote" Martínez in the 81st minute, when the Mexican team needed a goal to force extra time. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the European team.