The Tiger: André-Pierre Gignac and a Mexican Revolution

Football is nothing without its mavericks. Unfathomable men and women whose exploits on and off the pitch leave opponents and teammates guessing. Players whose absolute unpredictability forces fans to fall in love with them.

In 2015, after an impressive 21-goal run for Marcelo Bielsa's Marseille side, André-Pierre Gignac turned down an offer from El Loco to extend his stay on the Côte d'Azur and did something quite unexpected, traveling 10,000 kilometers west to Monterrey, Mexico.

Storytelling is a powerful thing. Gignac had plenty of options, including Italian giants Inter and Napoli, but offers from both Serie A sides, as well as opportunities from Saudi Arabia, were rejected outright in favor of a move to North America. North. Refusing such offers ensured that Gignac had carved his name into the hearts of every Tigres fan before he even kicked a ball.

Gignac was overwhelmed with fans when he landed in Mexico. It was the first time a top European player had chosen a Liga MX team since Pep Guardiola, but it had a different feel. As Guardiola joined in the fall of his career, Gignac, a player best described as a big man at the top, decided to join at the peak of his powers. Here is a man who had left his comfort zone in order to take on a completely different footballing culture.

Europeans, more specifically Central Europeans, are used to looking down on leagues outside of the traditional big five. While it's fair to say these nations have the best players and incredible financial clout, it's unfair to suggest they're the alpha and omega.

Mexico lives and breathes football. Luchador masks in club and national team colors, oversized sombreros and back tattoos are often seen in the stands. This is a nation that takes the beautiful game very seriously.

The French arrived with ambition. "I'm very happy. I came to win the league and the Libertadores. Gignac's arrival went as smoothly as he could have hoped; he knew the language, he had studied his teammates and opponents The striker was serious - and the perfect opportunity to prove himself came at the right time.

The Tigers drew tough Brazilian opposition to Internacional in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals. Unfortunately, the Porto Alegre team proved too strong in their home game, winning the match 2-1 and dashing the Mexican club's hopes of reaching the final.

In the second leg, Tigres and Gignac had only one thing in mind: revenge. It took just 18 minutes for the striker to score his first goal for the club. A well-timed jump and a powerful header surprised current Liverpool keeper Alisson, Gignac running away, clutching his ears before leaping up and punching the air. He had arrived.

The comeback was secured with a bizarre own goal from Gefferson, and a diving header from midfielder Egidio Arévalo cemented their place in the final. Gignac was already within reach of his first piece of silverware with his new club.

The final saw them take on Argentine behemoths, River Plate. Like most finals in Central and South America, the Copa Libertadores final is played over two legs, with the Tigers playing at home first. The game was a 0-0 draw. The Tigers didn't take advantage of their home support, but underestimate the brave Mexicans at your peril; after all, stranger things have happened than Tigers heading to Argentina and getting...