Tokyo Olympics: André-Pierre Gignac's reunion with Mexico

A very symbolic match for André-Pierre Gignac.

The Blues face Mexico on Thursday at 10 a.m. for their first match of the group stage of the Olympic football Games (July 21-August 7).

The former Marseillais, exiled to the Monterrey Tigers since 2015, will find his adopted country in which he is adored by supporters.

The 35-year-old striker will play alongside his former partner of Olympique de Marseille, Florian Thauvin, who will also join the Mexican club in September.

Legend of the Tigers of Monterrey

André-Pierre Gignac had not worn the tricolor jersey since 2016, shortly after his strike on the post in the Euro final in France which could have given the victory to the Blues in the very last moments against Portugal. Almost five years later, it is a particular return for the former Toulouse FC striker in the Olympic training of the France team. In the meantime, the French striker made his name and even became a legend in Mexico by leading his team of the Monterrey Tigers to the league title in 2019, to victory in the Champions League of the South American confederation in 2020 and more recently in the final of the Club World Cup at the end of January, against Bayern Munich.

@TigresOficial fans will be dancing and jumping for joy into the weekend

✍️ After leading the club to their first-ever #ClubWC, their all-time leading scorer @ 10APG has signed a three-year contract extension pic.twitter.com/9NVhYxCKAA

- FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 26, 2021

Last February, Gignac extended his contract for another three years, until 2024, with the Tigers.

Proof that the Blues striker feels good in Mexico.

However, a new challenge presents itself in front of him in the jersey of the French Olympic team, with the ambition to go for a medal.

"I made it clear (at the Monterrey Tigers club, Editor's note) that it was a dream and a goal, they understood it well," said André-Pierre Gignac at a press conference in early July.

"I gave a lot for this club, and we will say that I did not leave them too much of a choice ...", continued the number 10 in club and in selection.

A playing card for the France team

While the list of French players selected has been extremely difficult to build, with many clubs having refused to release the players initially chosen by coach Sylvain Ripoll, Gignac believes that the France team still has a card to play.

"It's a shame but now we are focusing on the group that is there, which has a lot of desire and quality, as I saw during the first training sessions. We will try to create a group. Sometimes a group is stronger than the best players, ”he said.

Calendar of the France team (in French time):

Mexico-

, Thursday July 22 at 10 a.m.

South Africa, Sunday July 25 at 10 a.m.

Japan, Wednesday July 28 at 1:30 p.m.

The match against Mexico in group A will be the first shock for the Blues, against a country that won the competition in London in 2012. A new adventure for "Dédé" who will be keen to make the Blues win, whatever the 'opponent.