Gignac’s broken dream
The naturalized Mexican says he would have liked to play for El Tri, something that is now difficult to achieve.
André‑Pierre Gignac is one of those foreign players who came to Mexico and fell completely in love with the country. His children were born here, he became a naturalized citizen out of affection for the place that gave him everything, and he learned to adore Tigres - the club where he plans to end his professional career. Yet there’s one thing the Frenchman wishes he could have done, something that now feels out of reach.
One dream still left unfulfilled is playing for the Mexican national team. At this point, it’s unlikely - not only because of his age, but because he’s never been considered by any of El Tri’s coaches, despite winning scoring titles with Tigres.
“I’m Mexican, and I love being Mexican,” Gignac told an interview with Rubén Rodríguez on Fox Sports.” For that passion, that fire for soccer in Mexico - and those beautiful jerseys too - yeah, I would’ve loved to play for El Tri, honestly.”
“I’m nowhere near”
Another standout moment from the interview came when Gignac explained why he doesn’t see himself as the greatest foreign player to ever arrive in Mexico. In his view, others surpass him - figures like José Saturnino Cardozo or global superstar Ronaldinho, whose highlights he still enjoys watching online.
“I don’t think I am [the best foreigner],” Gignac said. “I really enjoy watching Cardozo’s videos; when you score 29 goals in a single tournament, forget it - that doesn’t happen anymore. Cabinho scored more than 300 goals just in Mexico. [Pep] Guardiola, Ronaldinho, great players have come here too. Compared to them, I’m nowhere near.”
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