Luís Antonio Jiménez Garcés was born in Santiago de Chile, on June 17, 1984.
He started his football career at 10 years of age with Palestino from the Chilean capital. Seven years later he made his debut in the first team in the top flight but after only 9 league appearances for the "Árabes”, in 1992 he moved to Europe.
He joined Ternana in Serie B. He stayed four seasons. The Rossoverdi finished 7th twice, 9th and 20th (relegated). His managers were Mario Beretta, Beretta then Bruno Bolchi, four different managers including Giovanni Vavassori and finally Antonio Sala followed by Fabio Brini.
Jimenez however did not stay until the relegation as in the winter transfer market window he left for Fiorentina. Jiménez played 88 league games with 25 goals plus 5 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal for the "Fere". His teammates included Lazio connections Tommaso Berni (2006-09, 2009-11) and a young Antonio Candreva (2012-16).
Fiorentina were in Serie A and the manager was Cesare Prandelli. The Viola finished 9th and Jimenez played 19 league games with 3 goals (Inter, Parma, Empoli). He played alongside former Lazio Stefano Fiore (2001-04) and Beppe Pancaro (1997-2003) plus future Lazio Cristian Brocchi (2008-13).
In the summer he returned to Ternana who were now in C. He fell out with the owner and he never played so in January 2007 he joined Lazio on loan. He was supposed to come earlier on a definite deal but Ternana changed the cards on the table at the last minute wanting more money than previously agreed. The compromise thus became a six-month loan but was reached later so he arrived in January.
The manager was Delio Rossi and Lazio had a good season finishing 3rd, despite a 3-point handicap, qualifying for a Champions League preliminary round. Jimenez played 16 league games with 2 goals (Ascoli, Livorno). Lazio were then interested in keeping him on but again Ternana’s requests were exorbitant and he went back to Terni but not for long.
In 2007-08 again on loan he joined Inter. The manager was Roberto Mancini, with Sinisa Mihajlovic as his assistant and the Nerazzurri won the Scudetto. Jiménez played 15 league games with 3 goals (Fiorentina, Torino, Palermo), 4 games in Coppa Italia and 3 in the Champions League with 1 goal (Fenerbahçe). He played alongside several past Lazio players: Dejan Stankovic (1998-2004), Julio Cruz (2009-10), Hernan Crespo (2000-2002), Aparecido César (2001-06).
The following year he stayed on with the Nerazzurri. The manager was now José Mourinho and Jimenez played 6 league games, 1 in the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa (won against Roma on penalties, with Jimenez scoring the 6th). Inter then won the treble (Scudetto, Champions League and Coppa Italia but not the Supercoppa where they lost 1-2 to Lazio in China)
In 2009 he joined West-Ham United in the English Premier League. The Hammers' manager was Gianfranco Zola and they finished 17th. Jimenez played 11 league games with 1 goal (Burnley) and 1 game in the FA Cup. One of his teammates was former Lazio Valon Behrami (2005-08). Jimenez however left in January 2010 and returned to Italy.
He joined Parma in Serie A. The Gialloblu finished 10th under Francesco Guidolin. Jimenez played 12 league games with 1 goal (winner in 3-2 away win in Naples). He played alongside Hernan Crespo, approaching the end of his career.
In the summer of 2010, he joined Cesena in Serie A. The Bianconeri finished 15th under manager Massimo Ficcadenti. Jimenez played 31 league games with 9 goals (Juventus, Cagliari, Brescia, Catania, Chievo, Juventus, Fiorentina, Cagliari, Genoa) plus 1 game in Coppa Italia. His teammates included, future Lazio, Marco Parolo (2014-21).
Despite or because of this good goal scoring year, in 2011 he joined Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. He stayed four seasons, playing 124 games with 51 goals. He won 1 league title, 2 Emirates Cups, 1 President's Cup and 2 Super Cups.
In 2015 he stayed in the Emirates but played for Al-Nasr. He played 37 games with 9 goals.
In 2016 he moved to Doha in Qatar and played for Al -Arabi. He played 22 games with 10 goals.
In 2017 until January 2018, he played for Al Gharafa in Qatar. He played 18 games with 6 goals.
In January 2018 until June he played for Qatar SC, playing 8 games.
In August 2018 until July 2019, he returned to his first club Palestino in Chile. He played 37 games with 8 goals and won a Chilean Cup.
In August 2019 he joined Al-Ittihăd in Saudi Arabia but only lasted two months, playing 6 games with 1 goal.
In 2020 he went back to Palestino again. He played another 74 games with 26 goals.
In August 2022 he joined his last club, Magallanes in the Chilean second tier. He played 7 games with 1 goal.
At 36 he then retired.
He won 33 caps for Chile and scored 3 goals (Bolivia, Venezuela x2). He took part in two Copa Americas.
Jimenez was an attacking midfielder, a number 10 but he could also play as a forward. He was an extremely skilful and talented player but inconsistent. He was known as the "Mago" (The Magician, just like Luis Alberto is nowadays). He never stayed with one team for very long apart from Ternana at the beginning of his career and then Al- Ahli. His peak in prestige was with Inter but probably his best season was with Cesena.
At Lazio he showed flashes of his abilities and helped Lazio qualify for the Champions League with an excellent 3rd place.
Lazio Career
Season | Total Appearances Serie A (goals) |
2006-07 | 16 (2) |
Sources
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