Jose Maria Gimenez cut his teeth with while Oscar Washington Tabarez was at the helm, developing a deep-rooted, unconditional love for the Celeste shirt. He learned the value of sacrifice and commitment alongside Diego Godin and Diego Lugano, defenders who never hesitated to put their bodies on the line for their team.
He observed the elite professionalism and high standards set by Edinson Cavani. He was in awe of the sheer brilliance of Luis Suarez, arguably Uruguay’s greatest ever player.
At 31, Gimenez is a seasoned yet relatively young defender. Still in his prime, he is gearing up to play in his fourth World Cup, after previously appearing at the tournament in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Uruguay will get their campaign under way in Group H on Monday.
The Atletico Madrid defender leads a nation determined to put the disappointment of their group-stage exit at the firmly behind them, when Diego Alonso’s side accumulated four points but still failed to reach the Round of 16, with Portugal and Korea Republic progressing instead.
The 2022 setback is something of an anomaly for a country with a population of approximately 3.4 million but renowned for consistently producing an extraordinary number of top-level players per capita. In 2010, Tabarez’s side finished third. In 2014, they came up short against Colombia in the Round of 16. In 2018, they were eliminated by France in the quarter-final after seeing off Portugal in the first knockout stage.
Without Suarez, Cavani or Godin, and with Fernando Muslera as the last remaining survivor from that generation, Uruguay are entering a period of transition under coach Marcelo Bielsa, with a new crop of players and a renewed footballing identity shaped by his philosophy.
“This is a rebuilding process that has been going on for a while now,” Gimenez said ahead of his side’s opening game at. “There are a lot of young players coming through, and I think we’ve got a solid squad to give a good account of ourselves at this tournament.
“This Uruguay side is capable of making history. We’re Uruguay. We know what it means to wear this shirt and what’s required of us on the pitch.”
The South American side have been pitted against Saudi Arabia, Spain and Cabo Verde in what is widely regarded as one of the toughest groups in the tournament. The opener in Miami could have a major bearing on the fate of two sides with ambitions of getting out of the group.
“Every game is important, but I expect this one to be played at a very high intensity,” said Gimenez. “Both sides want to take all three points. We’ll try to play our own game. It’ll be a game of fine margins. Emotions will be running high, but we can’t let that get the better of us. It’s important to approach the game with your heart, but keep a cool head on the pitch.”
Gimenez has spent the last 13 years plying his trade at Atletico under Diego Simeone, another coach who leaves a lasting mark on his players.
Speaking about his role in the squad, Gimenez said: “I bring calm to the side. At the end of the day, it’s still just a game of football, but you’re representing your country in the most beautiful way possible.
"When you’re calm, you know this is when the moment of truth arrives and the butterflies start to kick in. Only those who don’t live and breathe football don’t feel those emotions. Donning the shirt is a source of pride.”
Gimenez is a key figure in Uruguay’s system, with his role involving pushing his side higher up the pitch and covering large spaces in behind. He suffered a serious sprain to his right ankle in May while playing for Atletico. Bielsa said Gimenez joined up with the squad at a later date to work on his recovery with members of his trusted staff, and that he is now back to full fitness.
The fixture with Saudi Arabia will be far from just another game for Gimenez: he is set to earn his 100th cap for the Celeste. “Looking back on the 99 games I’ve played so far fills me with enormous pride, “ he said. “I think of my family, and of everyone who has stood by me throughout this journey. It’s just about enjoying it.
“The most amazing thing is wearing the Uruguay shirt. It’s the greatest honour to represent your country, something every player dreams of. We’re going to a World Cup and we want to rise to the occasion and live up to its history.”
Sources: FIFA Official
