André-Pierre Gignac, 40, strikes late as Tigres win derby, retirement future still unclear | OneFootball

André-Pierre Gignac, 40, struck in stoppage time to give Tigres a 1-0 win over CF Monterrey in the 142nd Clasico Regio on Saturday, extending his grip on the rivalry while his future remains unresolved.

Introduced late, the Frenchman needed only minutes before deciding it at 90+1. He now has 15 derby goals, the most in the fixture, and this was his 34th since arriving in 2015. His league haul reached 190 in Liga MX, placing him among the competition’s top 10 scorers.

His contract expires in June and retirement has been rumoured for months, but neither player nor club has announced a decision. “This goal was deserved, given how the match unfolded. I am happy for André and for the team. With big occasions you never really know which will be the last, so nothing should be ruled out,” said goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman to Mediotiempo.

Coach Guido Pizarro, a former team-mate, expressed his admiration after the match, saying the outcome felt right and underlined how much Gignac means to the squad and supporters.

Gignac’s role has shifted in recent months, with Tigres often using him from the bench in a 4-2-3-1. Competition is fierce after last summer’s arrival of Angel Correa from Atlético Madrid, alongside Juan Francisco Brunetta and Mexico international Diego Lainez.

Tigres visit FC Cincinnati on Thursday in the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 first leg. On Saturday’s evidence, Gignac may yet have more chapters to write in Mexico.

Source: L'Équipe