Antonio Luis Jiménez
Encyclopedia
Luis Antonio Jiménez Garcés (born 17 June 1984), more commonly known as Luis Jiménez, is a Chile
an footballer. He plays for Al-Ahli Dubai as an attacking midfielder. He was also a member of the Chilean national team
.
, Jiménez started his Italian
footballing career in 2002 at Ternana Calcio
. During the January 2006 transfer window, Jimenez completed a move to Serie A
side ACF Fiorentina
while remaining under joint ownership
with his former club. For Fiorentina, the Chilean generally played as a right sided winger, striker or occasionally a centre forward. His right foot is his strongest but he can also make good use of his left. He made 19 appearances during the 2005–06 season for Fiorentina, scoring 3 goals in the process.
In late June 2006, Ternana purchased back half of the rights to the player from Fiorentina
. Since Ternana were to play in Italian Serie C1 in the 2006–07 season, it was highly unlikely that Jimenez would remain with them. However, although a loan deal was reached with Serie A
Lazio, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan, Ternana changed the terms and made extortionate demands, which included Lazio paying the salary for four of Ternana's players. The deal fell through and Jiménez remained in Ternana. The unhappy player stated that he would not play for Ternana again and has asked FIFA
to intervene and annul his contract with Ternana because of their unfair treatment.
.
signed him on loan from Ternana.
He scored his first Inter goal in extra time in the Champions League
against Fenerbache. He was rewarded with his first Inter start on the 2 December against Fiorentina, where he scored the opening goal. He also started the subsequent match against Lazio
on 5 December, where he set up Maicon's goal and had a goal disallowed for offside, and set up another disallowed goal.
At the end of the 07/08 season, Inter officially signed him on a co-ownership
deal., for €6.3 million. He signed a 3-year contract. Under coach Jose Mourinho, he played his first game against A.S. Roma coming on as a second half substitute and scored a penalty in Inter's Italian Supercup win. Jimenez played his first game of the 2008–09 Serie A year against Sampdoria
on 30 August 2008, but unfortunately picked up an injury later in a practice session. He returned from injury on 30 November 2008 when he was subbed in Inter Milan's Serie A game against Napoli. A subsequent long-term injury limited Jiménez to a total of 6 appearances for the 08/09 Serie A season.
The co-ownership deal with Ternana was renewed on 23 June 2009.
on 15 August 2009. He scored his only goal for West Ham, a penalty and West Ham's fifth, in a 5–3 home win against Burnley
on 28 November 2009.
signed the Chilean attacking midfielder on loan from Internazionale until June, his previous loan with West Ham United having ended prematurely. He signed as part of the deal which saw McDonald Mariga
move to Internazionale
. Jiménez has been sent off three times since signing for Parma. At the end of season, Parma wanted to signed him outright, but collapsed after Ternana
bought back Jiménez.
, he did not attended the training of Ternana and Ternana seek a new buyer to sign him.
with option to buy, and entered the starting line-up after the poor form of the team. The coach put Ezequiel Schelotto
into bench and Jiménez became the new second striker in the 4-3-3 formation, partnered with central forward Erjon Bogdani
and wing forward Emanuele Giaccherini
.
.
On 4 June 2005, Jiménez assisted Marcelo Salas
' historic 35th goal with the national team, which made Salas Chile's top scorer ever. The goal came in a qualification match against Bolivia which Chile went on to win 3–1. Four days later, he scored twice against Venezuela in another qualification match.
Jiménez became captain of Chile
during 2006 and also won the 2005–06 Chile Player of the Year award. However, he has seen little national team activity under the direction of Marcelo Bielsa
and also affected by club performance. On 19 June 2011 he returned to Chile national team against Estonia
.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an footballer. He plays for Al-Ahli Dubai as an attacking midfielder. He was also a member of the Chilean national team
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
.
Early career
Born in Santiago, ChileSantiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
, Jiménez started his Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
footballing career in 2002 at Ternana Calcio
Ternana Calcio
Ternana Calcio is an Italian football club based in the city of Terni, Umbria.The team's colours are red and green.The club was founded in 1925 and refounded in 1993. In its history, Ternana have twice played in Serie A...
. During the January 2006 transfer window, Jimenez completed a move to Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
side ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
while remaining under joint ownership
Co-ownership (football)
Co-ownership is a system whereby two football clubs own the contract of a player jointly, although the player is only registered to play for one club...
with his former club. For Fiorentina, the Chilean generally played as a right sided winger, striker or occasionally a centre forward. His right foot is his strongest but he can also make good use of his left. He made 19 appearances during the 2005–06 season for Fiorentina, scoring 3 goals in the process.
In late June 2006, Ternana purchased back half of the rights to the player from Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
. Since Ternana were to play in Italian Serie C1 in the 2006–07 season, it was highly unlikely that Jimenez would remain with them. However, although a loan deal was reached with Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
Lazio, with an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan, Ternana changed the terms and made extortionate demands, which included Lazio paying the salary for four of Ternana's players. The deal fell through and Jiménez remained in Ternana. The unhappy player stated that he would not play for Ternana again and has asked FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
to intervene and annul his contract with Ternana because of their unfair treatment.
Lazio
On 15 January 2007, Lazio finally agreed a move for Jimenez with the first season on loan, and on January 27 he played his first match for Lazio against PalermoU.S. Città di Palermo
Unione Sportiva Città di Palermo is an Italian football club from Palermo, Sicily which currently plays in Serie A, the top level of Italian football. Formed in 1900 as Anglo Panormitan Athletic and Football Club, the club had various names before assuming its final form in 1987 and is currently...
.
Internazionale
On 15 July 2007, InternazionaleF.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
signed him on loan from Ternana.
He scored his first Inter goal in extra time in the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
against Fenerbache. He was rewarded with his first Inter start on the 2 December against Fiorentina, where he scored the opening goal. He also started the subsequent match against Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
on 5 December, where he set up Maicon's goal and had a goal disallowed for offside, and set up another disallowed goal.
At the end of the 07/08 season, Inter officially signed him on a co-ownership
Co-ownership (football)
Co-ownership is a system whereby two football clubs own the contract of a player jointly, although the player is only registered to play for one club...
deal., for €6.3 million. He signed a 3-year contract. Under coach Jose Mourinho, he played his first game against A.S. Roma coming on as a second half substitute and scored a penalty in Inter's Italian Supercup win. Jimenez played his first game of the 2008–09 Serie A year against Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
on 30 August 2008, but unfortunately picked up an injury later in a practice session. He returned from injury on 30 November 2008 when he was subbed in Inter Milan's Serie A game against Napoli. A subsequent long-term injury limited Jiménez to a total of 6 appearances for the 08/09 Serie A season.
The co-ownership deal with Ternana was renewed on 23 June 2009.
West Ham United
Jiménez signed for West Ham United on the 23 June 2009. Although a work permit had been granted a couple of weeks before, the deal was only announced after personal terms were agreed. West Ham signed Jiménez for a one year loan initially, with an option to purchase at the end of the loan period. He made his full debut for West Ham in their 2–0 away win against WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 15 August 2009. He scored his only goal for West Ham, a penalty and West Ham's fifth, in a 5–3 home win against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 28 November 2009.
Parma
On 1 February 2010, ParmaParma F.C.
Parma Football Club , commonly referred to as just Parma, is an Italian professional football club based in Parma, Emilia–Romagna that will compete in Serie A for the 2011–12 season, having finished in twelfth position last season. Founded as Verdi Foot Ball Club in July 1913, the club changed its...
signed the Chilean attacking midfielder on loan from Internazionale until June, his previous loan with West Ham United having ended prematurely. He signed as part of the deal which saw McDonald Mariga
McDonald Mariga
McDonald Mariga Wanyama is a Kenyan footballer player who plays for Real Sociedad on loan from Inter Milan. Mariga made history as the first Kenyan footballer to play in the UEFA Champions League on 16 March 2010.-Early career:...
move to Internazionale
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
. Jiménez has been sent off three times since signing for Parma. At the end of season, Parma wanted to signed him outright, but collapsed after Ternana
Ternana Calcio
Ternana Calcio is an Italian football club based in the city of Terni, Umbria.The team's colours are red and green.The club was founded in 1925 and refounded in 1993. In its history, Ternana have twice played in Serie A...
bought back Jiménez.
Ternana
On 26 June 2010, after Inter failed to agree a price with Ternana for the remain 50% registration rights, the rights was went to auction and Ternana won, for €3.177 million. made Inter profited €5.277 million in accounting (amortization approach). It is because Inter had over-amortized Jiménez's transfer fee (Inter amortized €8.4 million but only cost Inter €6.3 million only, €2.1M exceed) and €3.177 million. (Inter presented the profit as €2.154 million (market price €3.177 x 2 - contract residual value €4.2M) + €3.123 million financial income (value of Inter unpaid half €6.3 million - actual value €3.177M) ) Since Ternana would played at 2010–11 Lega Pro Prima Divisione2010–11 Lega Pro Prima Divisione
The 2010–11 Lega Pro Prima Divisione season will be the thirty-third football league season of Italian Lega Pro Prima Divisione since its establishment in 1978, and the third since the renaming from Serie C to Lega Pro....
, he did not attended the training of Ternana and Ternana seek a new buyer to sign him.
Cesena
On 31 August 2010 he was loaned to newly promoted Serie A team CesenaA.C. Cesena
Associazione Calcio Cesena is an Italian football club based in Cesena, Romagna. The club was formed in 1940 and won the first promotion to Serie A in 1973. Since then, the club have been in the Italian Premier League for a total of in 11 seasons, reaching the best achievement in 1976 with the 6th...
with option to buy, and entered the starting line-up after the poor form of the team. The coach put Ezequiel Schelotto
Ezequiel Schelotto
Ezequiel Matias Schelotto is an Argentine-born Italian footballer who currently plays for Atalanta B.C. in Italy also known as El Galgo, El Melli or El Mosquetero.-A.C. Cesena:...
into bench and Jiménez became the new second striker in the 4-3-3 formation, partnered with central forward Erjon Bogdani
Erjon Bogdani
Erjon Bogdani , is an Albanian football striker. Bogdani plays for A.C. Cesena, in Italian Serie A and the Albanian national team.-Early Years:...
and wing forward Emanuele Giaccherini
Emanuele Giaccherini
Emanuele Giaccherini is an Italian footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus. He can play as a striker or as a winger.-Cesena:...
.
Al-Ahli Dubai
On 29 June 2011, Al-Ahli Dubai announced that Jiménez had joined the club in four-year contract.International career
He made his international debut on 28 April 2004 in a match against PeruPeru national football team
The Peru national football team, known as 'el equipo inca', represents Peru in international football competition and is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation . The team competes against the other nine members of FIFA's CONMEBOL conference, which encompasses the countries of South America...
.
On 4 June 2005, Jiménez assisted Marcelo Salas
Marcelo Salas
José Marcelo Salas Melinao , better known as El Matador, Shileno or simply Marcelo Salas, is a former football player from Chile. He, along with world cup veterans, 3 time Best Player of America Elías Figueroa and former Real Madrid and Inter Milan forward Iván Zamorano, has been one of Chile's...
' historic 35th goal with the national team, which made Salas Chile's top scorer ever. The goal came in a qualification match against Bolivia which Chile went on to win 3–1. Four days later, he scored twice against Venezuela in another qualification match.
Jiménez became captain of Chile
Chile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
during 2006 and also won the 2005–06 Chile Player of the Year award. However, he has seen little national team activity under the direction of Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Caldera is an Argentine association football coach and former defender, born in Rosario, Santa Fe...
and also affected by club performance. On 19 June 2011 he returned to Chile national team against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
.
Personal life
Jiménez married Chilean model María José López in 2006. They have triplets together, all girls, Rebeca, Isidora and Rafaela, born on 15 June 2010.External links
- Luis Jiménez looks to escape ‘Hotel Ternana’ - article by Paolo Bandini on the player's career (April 2011)