The unsung cannonballer Gignac

Andre-Pierre Gignac. He may be a completely unknown name to some, but to Mexican fans he is an idol. It’s no wonder, he has scored over 100 league goals in his native France and has already scored 149 goals for Tigres UANL in Mexico.

Gignac started his career in the youth of Lorient, later working his way up to the first team and making his debut in the top French competition with them. He was one of the great talents at the time, so Toulouse bought him for less than €5 million in 2007.

Everything looked very promising, Gignac scored 42 goals in three years at the club and had one foot in the Premier League, at the time he was Newcastle United’s hottest candidate. But nothing like that happened. In the summer of 2010, the then 24-year-old striker left for Olympique Marseille for €16 million.

There are not many players in the footballing world who would choose the South of France destination of Marseille before moving to the islands. But Gignac has built his career on unconventional decisions and has always stood his ground. During his time in this port city, he became the fourth top scorer in the club’s history and an absolute fan favourite.

His pilgrimage on French football turf ended in 2015 when his contract with his current employer Marseille expired and he signed as a free agent with Mexican side Tigres UANL.

This unorthodox decision has caused a stir, all the more so when we consider that Gignac was transferring away from the main footballing scene in Europe in 2015 and, more importantly, in his prime. He thus preferred tequila to fame.

Of course, his Mexican engagement turned out to be no football retirement. In the Tigres jersey, Gignac played an incredible performance that does not end even in his current thirty-five years. Nearly 150 goals in six years and a host of accolades at both individual and club level.

Now he has made his debut for France at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The team was made up of some of the most promising young talents in demand across football in Europe, with Mexican Tigres teammates Florian Thauvin and Andre-Pierre Gignac side by side in attack.

After three games, he is the tournament’s second top scorer with four goals and is once again drawing attention to himself. After his great performances at the World Club Championship, he has also shown great form in the Olympic tournament and Mexican fans can be happy to see a true playing legend in their club’s jersey.

Source: Transfermarkt