Julián Quiñones

Julián Andrés Quiñones Quiñones (born 24 March 1997) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. Born in Colombia, he represents the Mexico national team.

Club career Early career Quiñones commenced his career in Cali, Colombia with local academy Futbol Paz. In the 2014–15 season, he netted 50 goals across 38 matches, prompting Tigres UANL to recruit him for their under-20 team.

In the Clausura 2016 tournament, Quiñones was sent on loan to Venados, an Ascenso MX club. He made his professional debut on 19 January 2016, scoring twice against Cruz Azul in a Copa MX match.

In June 2017, Quiñones joined Lobos BUAP on loan. In the Apertura 2017, he emerged as the third-highest scorer, finishing with nine goals. His impressive performance carried over into the Clausura 2018, where he scored another eight goals.

Quiñones returned to Tigres UANL ahead of the Apertura 2018, but despite his form with Lobos BUAP, head coach Ricardo Ferretti kept him on the fringes of the squad.

Atlas In June 2021, Quiñones joined Atlas on a one-year loan. Quiñones won two consecutive league titles with Atlas, putting an end to the club's 70-year drought.

América In July 2023, América reached an agreement to sign Quiñones. During his brief spell at the club, he secured two league titles, bringing his individual total to six.

Al-Qadsiah In June 2024, Quiñones joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah for a reported fee of USD$16 million. He finished the 2024–25 season with 20 goals.

On 21 May 2026, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 away victory over Al-Ittihad, finishing the 2025–26 season as the league's top scorer with 33 goals, overtaking Ivan Toney on the final day of the campaign. On 25 May, Quiñones renewed his contract with the club until 2029.

International career Colombia

Quiñones represented Colombia in youth competitions, first at the 2017 South American U-20 Championship and then at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games. However, in May 2023, he opted not to accept a call-up to the senior Colombia national team after living in Mexico since the age of 17.

Mexico

In September 2023, Quiñones joined the training camp of the Mexico national team, having previously declared his intention to represent the country. He completed his naturalization process in October and received his first call-up the following month. Quiñones made his debut in a CONCACAF Nations League match against Honduras on 17 November. He scored his first goal on 21 March 2024 in a semi-final match of the CONCACAF Nations League against Panama, scoring the 2nd goal of the game in the 43rd minute. Mexico went on to win the match 3–0.

Quiñones was named in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted on home soil. On 11 June 2026, Quiñones scored the opening goal of the tournament in a 2–0 victory against South Africa. After the game, he was named Man of the Match. In the round of 32 against Ecuador, he scored the opening goal and was named Man of the Match as his team secured a 2–0 victory to advance to the round of 16. Mexico would then face England in the round of 16 where he scored in a 2–3 defeat. Thus, he scored his fourth goal of the World Cup tournament, equaling the record set by Mexican players Luis Hernández and Javier Hernández.

Career statistics Club

International

Kyle Field, College Station, United States

Friendly

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

2026 FIFA World Cup

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

2026 FIFA World Cup

Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico

2026 FIFA World Cup Honours Tigres UANL Liga MX: Apertura 2016, Clausura 2019 CONCACAF Champions League: 2020

Atlas Liga MX: Apertura 2021, Clausura 2022 Campeón de Campeones: 2022

América Liga MX: Apertura 2023, Clausura 2024 Campeón de Campeones: 2024

Colombia U20 Central American and Caribbean Games: 2018

Mexico CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2025 CONCACAF Nations League: 2024–25

Individual Central American and Caribbean Games Top Scorer: 2018 Liga MX Best XI: Clausura 2022 Liga MX Best Offensive Midfielder: 2021–22 Liga MX All-Star: 2022 King's Cup Top Scorer: 2024–25 Saudi Pro League Golden Boot: 2025–26

Personal life Born in Magüí Payán, Nariño, Quiñones is of Afro-Colombian descent. He had a childhood affected by poverty, to the extent that he had to take a three-hour boat ride to access a telephone. He received Mexican citizenship in 2023. Quiñones is married to Mexican model and influencer Ana Gabriela Amato. The couple began dating in 2022 and got married in December of the same year. Their daughter Alanna was born on December 26, 2023.