FC Porto visits Real Betis this Wednesday for Matchday 2 of the Champions League, and for Santiago Giménez, the match at the Benito Villamarín could be much more than just a European game: it could be the night he begins to regain his lost confidence.
His coach has made it crystal clear. Francesco Farioli stated at a press conference that the Mexican “needs to regain confidence in his abilities” and ignore the “media pressure,” which comes especially from the Latin American press. “He needs to be at peace with everything around him,” the Italian said, and then uttered the phrase that went around the world: “It’s important to put him in a bubble—to keep him here with his teammates, with the coaching staff, and to have him work with the support of all the fans.”
The bubble, however, doesn’t score goals. And the numbers are painful: Since he arrived at Porto in August—on loan from AC Milan—Bebote has scored only once, and that was on a penalty kick against Casa Pia. In total, he has played 21 matches between Milan and Porto with just two goals. On Saturday, in the 2-1 victory over Marítimo, he spent the entire match on the bench while Samu Omorodion took the field, and he is now the third option in the attack, behind André Silva and Omorodion himself.
On top of that came a FIFA international break to forget. Rafa Márquez’s debut as head coach of El Tri resulted in two draws and two losses—including the 3-0 defeat to the United States— and the forwards failed to score: Giménez played 127 minutes without finding the net and squandered two clear chances against the Americans. “El Bebote” has scored only one goal in his last 18 matches with the national team, and his last official goal came on July 16, 2023, in the Gold Cup final against Panama. Even his own father, Chaco Giménez, was blunt on television: “The number nine has to score… He hasn’t scored for the national team.” Márquez, however, defended him: “We have confidence in him,” he said, explaining that he needs playing time after dealing with a nagging injury.
That’s why Betis seems like the perfect opportunity. Porto arrives as the leader of the Portuguese League, and the Champions League has always been the stage where the greats prove themselves. A goal in Seville—against a Spanish opponent, on a European night—would be worth ten in the Portuguese league for a striker who needs, more than playing time, a celebration that restores his confidence.
Farioli wants Santi in a bubble, away from the noise. But bubbles burst with goals, and on Wednesday, at the Villamarín, “Bebote” will have the ball at his feet to start bursting his own. The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. (Phoenix time) and will be broadcast on FOX One in Mexico.
