The Man Who Discovered Quiñones Recalls the Boy Who Dreamed of Scoring Away Poverty

The story of Julián Quiñones, a star forward for the Mexican national team, is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of sport. While Quiñones recently scored crucial goals for Mexico in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, his journey began far from the spotlight, in the conflict-ridden regions of southwestern Colombia.

César Augusto Valencia Trejos, affectionately known as Papá César, remembers the day Quiñones arrived in Cali in 2014. The then-teenager came from Magüí Payán, a municipality in the Nariño department, carrying little more than a suitcase full of dreams and a fierce determination to change his family's circumstances. Valencia, the founder of Fútbol Paz, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing footballers from areas ravaged by violence and lack of opportunity, immediately saw Quiñones' potential.

“

He was brought by a cousin for a tryout, and in the first training session, he scored four goals. That's when I realized I was in front of a different player.

"He was brought by a cousin for a tryout, and in the first training session, he scored four goals. That's when I realized I was in front of a different player," Valencia recalled. Fútbol Paz, which started with 30 players from rural areas of Jamundí, now mentors over 210 elite young athletes hailing from regions historically impacted by Colombia's armed conflict, such as Buenaventura, Quibdó, and Arauca.

“

He was a monster. He had power, quality, strength, and impressive character. He always showed up when the team needed him most.

Quiñones quickly distinguished himself with exceptional skills. During his first year with Fútbol Paz, he was instrumental in winning a national U-17 championship, scoring an astonishing 48 goals in that tournament, including 17 in a single match. "He was a monster. He had power, quality, strength, and impressive character. He always showed up when the team needed him most," Valencia said, recalling one game where Quiñones scored twice to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory.

His talent did not go unnoticed. Scouts from the Mexican club Tigres traveled to Cali and were captivated by Quiñones. He soon moved to Mexico, where he made an immediate impact, becoming the top scorer in the U-20 national tournament in his first year. He has since built a successful career in Mexican football with Tigres, Atlas, and América, eventually becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen and earning a place on the national team. Valencia remains proud, noting, "It's impressive to have been at the beginning of his formation, to see his evolution, and to see him fulfill his dreams through goals."

“

It's impressive to have been at the beginning of his formation, to see his evolution, and to see him fulfill his dreams through goals.