Tonight (4 a.m. in France), you will play the semi-final first leg of the Liga MX against the Rayados*, after eliminating the Tigres UANL of André-Pierre Gignac, who also missed a penalty (3 -0; 0-0). Should this be considered a surprise?
It's huge, because we weren't favorites at all. We had quite a bit of success in the first leg and we didn't concede any goals thanks to some superb saves from the goalkeeper, including Gignac's penalty. Gignac, he's a legend here, it's something to win against him. For us, having qualified in the play-offs was already a great performance. There is no big star in San Luis, it is a homogeneous group in which no one is more important than the other. It’s the collective above all. We are very united, which means that we can achieve this kind of feat.
Mexican clubs know that they are not going to find their Gignac as soon as they sign a Frenchman, but now, they seem happy with me!
Andy Delort, Jérémy Ménez and Florian Thauvin, in their time, signed for Mexico in the wake of Gignac, and almost all failed. But how did you arrive in Mexico? Did you hesitate to sign?
When San Luis came to pick me up, I was immediately interested, even though I didn't really know the Liga MX. It also coincided with the fact that I wanted to look elsewhere and try an adventure abroad after two good seasons in Ligue 2. It was June 2023, my contract with Bastia was ending, and the transfer window was very calm in France. I didn't want to wait until August and be a fifth choice for a European club. Contacts were made through the TransferRoom platform, which connects clubs and agents. When the offer from Mexico arrived, I found the club very concerned. They have a very beautiful structure of scouting and they make very good moves with the little money available. Mexican clubs know that they are not going to find their Gignac as soon as they sign a Frenchman, but now, they seem happy with me!
With five goals in this 2024 opening tournament, you are your team's top scorer as an attacking midfielder. Commentators even drop “Yes sir!” » on your great goals. What is football like in Mexico?
It was a radical change at the beginning, it took me two months to adapt. I arrived with my partner and my little daughter who is now 2 years old. I'm in a quiet town, there's a good family atmosphere at the stadium, and the people are super friendly. (San Luis Potosi is a city ” average “ of 1 million inhabitants, including the 26,000-seat Alfonso-Lastras stadium is almost always full, Editor's note.) Here, football is experienced differently! When I arrived, the stands impressed me: the fanfare, the trumpets and drums, the songs. Compared to Europe, the atmosphere has nothing to do with it, I prefer it a hundred times here, this way of celebrating football, of having fun at the stadium, etc. And then in Mexico, we eat well! For the moment, I have no desire to look elsewhere. But clearly, the hottest stadium in the country is the Tigres Volcano, even more so on Sunday during the return match where the supporters were pushing.
Do you feel like you're living in the shadow of Gignac, who is the biggest star in the championship?
It's actually cool, I take it well. Gignac is a star for me too! In my family, everyone is for Marseille. I especially remember the magical season with Bielsa where they were first until January. I supported Gignac with OM, meeting him 10 years later is crazy for me! It's a privilege. He's a legend here, Dédé won everything here. I'm from Tarbes, so even at the time of Toulouse, as a kid, I was a fan! It was the good times, with Johan Elmander! I also have good memories of Rennes where I was trained.
Gignac, he won't leave Mexico again, he's too good here. He's a god.
What relationship do you have with him?
When I signed, he made a little video to welcome me. Then we talked at the beginning on Instagram. He gave me advice, told me about the country, the culture, he told me that I was going to have a great time here! He won't move anymore, he's too comfortable here. He's a god. He told me that if I worked, I was going to burn, because the championship is still demanding. Playing in Mexico at more than 2,200 meters above sea level is hard at first, it's physical. Now, as soon as we face each other, we write to each other, he's super cool, very relaxed. We laugh and even relax a little before facing each other.
Have you spoken since your club eliminated Tigres on Sunday?
I checked on him beforehand, because I knew he was a little injured. After his failure, on the way back, I left him alone. Then I wrote to him on Monday, cold, to thank him and to send him comfort. I told him “continue to make us dream!” » and he told me that we had to go to the end, that we could do it! In addition, we meet the Rayados in the semi-finals, the sworn enemies of Tigres! I know he will be behind us!
But it will be even harder, you are not favorites against the former Betis Sergio Canales, the former Marseillais Lucas Ocampos…
Monterrey is one of the three biggest budgets in Liga MX. We, basically, are not programmed to be champions. But they have pressure. Against big teams, like during the return against Tigres, we endure more, but our philosophy is to have an attractive game. Our coach is a pure product of the Masía. (Domenec Torrent was one of Pep Guardiola's assistants from Barça to Manchester City through Bayern Munich, NDLR.) It's certain that we don't start as favorites, but like against Tigres, we have to take the advantage on the first leg at home, where we are undefeated this season, to hold on to the return there!
Tigres opens the door to Gignac for his post-career
* First leg: San Luis-Monterrey, this Thursday at 4 a.m. in France. Return match: Monterrey-San Luis, this Sunday at 3 a.m. in France.
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