Arrived at the Tigres UANL from Olympique de Marseille in the summer of 2021, Florian Thauvin did not have the dream start in North America. Victim of a muscle injury to the right leg and away from the field for almost two months, the former Marseille has long worried, to the point of doubting his direction. However, in recent weeks, it is clear that the tricolor winger is reborn from its ashes. Determined to conquer his first title alongside André-Pierre Gignac, still as dazzling with the Monterrey club, the number 26 of the Felinos confided at length in an interview with L’Equipe. Selected pieces.
“I feel very good. It was a big change in my life. Before, I was in Europe, there are many things that change: the language, the mentality, the football, but I am very happy in Mexico. I like the city, the team and the way I was received”. Here is what Florian Thauvin (29) said last July when he arrived in the capital of Nuevo León, in northeastern Mexico. Flagship recruit of the Tigers, the French international winger (10 caps, 1 goal), who arrived free from OM, indeed aroused excitement for a whole people, who, moreover, was about to find, under the Mexican tunic , his former teammate André-Pierre Gignac, sparkling since landing at Monterrey International Airport (164 goals and 39 assists in 287 matches).
Author of more than contrasting debuts under the colors of his new club, marked by a muscle injury in the right leg, Thauvin has since largely revived, as evidenced by his new offering for APG on April 17 against Toluca (3-0 ). With 6 goals and 7 assists in 23 matches in all competitions, the man nicknamed The Principle in Mexican lands today carries the Tigres, second in Liga MX, only three lengths behind Pachuca. What ignite a whole people across the Atlantic. In a daily interview The Team, the 2018 world champion also returned to this fervor that surrounds him. A reciprocal love which does not however reach the overflowing enthusiasm caused by the performances of his former Marseille acolyte, André-Pierre Gignac.
The Prince has found his King!
“Recently, the supporters call me “El Principe” (the Prince). Because “Dédé” (André-Pierre Gignac) is “El Rey” (the King)! I also have a song. It’s starting to take. A month ago, I saw a report. A family named their baby boy Florian. But I still don’t have tacos in my name like Dédé or fans who tattoo my face on their body like him. The French are not aware of what Dédé represents in Monterrey but also throughout Mexico. He is the best ambassador of France! Dédé is a living legend at Les Tigres. The top scorer in the history of the club, the best player, but also the flag bearer of the Championship. Even our adversaries respect him. People are crazy about him. He will leave a big mark.recognized the former Olympian winger before returning to his departure from La Canebière.
“The leaders knew that I was at the end of my contract with OM. They wanted to find out. Dédé initiated the contact. I hadn’t made my decision yet, even though it was hot with AC Milan and OM were still there. There had been regular exchanges with Milan since October. The negotiations were far but they took time. Dédé told me that its president absolutely wanted to recruit me. Deep down, I think I was waiting for an experience like this.” Fulfilled under the Mexican sun, proud to defend the colors of the Tigers and already in love with this very family and friendly culture, Thauvin thus recognized that it was necessary “to be mad” for not accepting such a new challenge, despite all the efforts made by its former leader Pablo Longoria to retain it in the Old Port.
“I want a first title in the elite with the Tigers!”
“I was on the verge of extending. Pablo Longoria did everything and I thank him again. He would have deserved that I extend given his investment. But I had toured Marseilles. I would have had to be 100% in my head to stay at OM. This was no longer the case. My motivation was no longer total. I felt it inside. I was called elsewhere. I needed a change at 28. I had already fulfilled my dream of playing for OM. It was also good for the club to turn the page., thus confessed the one who totals 86 goals in the Marseille jersey. Now freed from his muscular problems and given confidence by his trainer Miguel Herrera, Thauvin is now regaining his full powers, enough to aspire to a bright future.
“I have now regained my level of 2018. I have six goals and seven assists. But most of all, I’m happy with the content. I manage to redo full matches and succeed both offensively and defensively. (…) You have to get the closing title. We will enter the play-offs. There, another competition begins. It adds spice. The atmosphere, the intensity, the duels, everything changes. These are cleaver matches. You have to give everything but it’s great to play. I have titles in the selection of world champion in 2018, world champion under 20 in 2013 but my only club is an L2 champion with Bastia (in 2012). I want a first title in the elite with the Tigers. Afterwards, we will compete in the Concacaf Champions League (early 2023). It will be another discovery even if I have already played in the United States., concluded the Orléans resident. Led by an André-Pierre Gignac, current top scorer in LigaMX (11 goals in 15 matches), and a fully recovered Florian Thauvin, the Tigers can, whatever the case, face the next few months with serenity.
