Julián Quiñones’s story moved people again during the 2026 World Cup, after César Augusto Valencia Trejos, known as Papá César, recalled how he discovered him in Colombia. The forward, Colombian by birth and naturalized Mexican, arrived in Cali in 2014 from Magüí Payán, with a suitcase and many dreams.
The coach, founder of Fútbol Paz, said that Quiñones drew attention from his very first training session. In a short time he became a key player for the academy, won a national under-17 championship, scored 48 goals in that tournament, and even netted 17 in a single match.
His performances attracted scouts from Tigres, in Mexico, and from there began a career that included spells with Tigres, Atlas, and América. Before wearing the Mexican jersey, Quiñones was already seen as a forward with power, character, and a story tied to family effort.