Julián Quiñones chose Mexico over Colombia and now his decision looks even bigger

What once sparked debate is now looking like one of the defining decisions of his career

Whenever a player is born in one country but has the chance to represent another, their choice is bound to be questioned. That was the case for Julián Quiñones, who received interest from both Mexico and Colombia before deciding to represent El Tri instead of his native country. As his career continues to grow, that decision has become even more significant.

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Sometimes the criticism comes from people who never really know what a player had to overcome before making that choice. For Quiñones, becoming part of Mexico was about much more than football. Beyond the opportunities he received after arriving in the country at 16, he has spoken about finding peace of mind and a level of mental well-being that Mexico and its people gave him, making his decision to wear the Mexican jersey at the World Cup deeply personal.

A decision shaped by his journey

Quiñones was born in Magüí Payán, a town that many Colombians describe as forgotten by the government and heavily affected by guerrilla violence and drug trafficking. His story could have taken a very different path if it had not been for his mother and grandmother, who guided him toward sports and supported him when he moved to Cali to join Academia Fútbol Paz. There, coaches recognized his potential and helped open the door for his move to Mexico, where he joined Tigres' youth academy in Monterrey.

From that moment on, Quiñones had one clear goal: help his family leave behind the difficult circumstances they grew up in. Mexico did more than welcome him. It embraced him as one of its own, giving him the chance to believe that a different future was possible, something that eventually made his decision to represent Mexico over Colombia carry even greater meaning.

He has never directly said that Mexico gave him a second life, but that feeling is reflected in the way he explains his decision. Mexico gave him and his family opportunities he may never have imagined possible, while his talent opened the door to the national team. Even though Colombia remains one of the strongest national teams in the world and could have offered him major achievements, he chose the country where he built his future.

The choice that keeps paying off

Mexico has stood by him through criticism, and Quiñones has responded with performances. He is already becoming one of the national team's top scorers in World Cups, while his move to Saudi Arabia has also been a success after finishing as the league's top scorer in a competition featuring stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

His rise has naturally drawn attention in Colombia, where several analysts believe a player with his intensity and attacking qualities could help strengthen the national team's frontline. His performances continue to stand out because of the impact he makes in attack. At the same time, others argue that while he was born in Colombia, it was in Mexico where he developed almost his entire professional career.

Mexico believed in him, and Quiñones has rewarded that trust. The reasons behind his decision were ultimately tied to the bond he built with the country. It was where he established his career, built his personal life, and developed into the player he is today. That journey ultimately tipped the balance toward Mexico despite Colombia's interest, and now he is living one of the biggest moments of his career by playing a World Cup as a local.